Aston Villa are actively exploring attacking reinforcements amid uncertainty surrounding Morgan Rogers, with Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier emerging as an option.
Rogers has been strongly linked with a major move away from Villa Park after a standout season in which he established himself as one of Unai Emery’s key attacking outlets.
Reports over recent weeks have suggested interest from several top Premier League clubs, mainly Arsenal and Chelsea, but Villa are now publicly demanding a seismic £130m fee to let him leave.
At the same time, Villa have also been linked with West Ham forward Jarrod Bowen as they assess possible attacking options should Rogers or other key players leave this summer.
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Villa are also under pressure to raise funds for new signings in what will be another ‘sell to buy’ summer, according to credible outlets, even despite their qualification for the Champions League.
Bournemouth reply as Aston Villa make Tavernier approach
Against that backdrop, attention has now turned towards additional wide options, with TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey reporting that Aston Villa have made an approach for Tavernier.
However, as per TT, the Cherries’ current stance is that he’s not for sale, with Villa told that they may have to look elsewhere as things stand.
Fulham are also keen on the 27-year-old, and they believe that he’s got the attributes to replace Harry Wilson out wide.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Graeme Bailey has built a mixed reputation as a football transfer journalist through his work with TEAMtalk and other national football outlets. He is particularly well known for reporting on Premier League transfers and often provides updates based on conversations with agents, scouts and club sources. Some of his exclusives are later supported by other reputable journalists as transfer stories develop, particularly during busy transfer windows. However, like any reporter, not every early lead results in a completed deal. |
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Finances |
Financially, a move appears achievable but would still require careful planning. Bournemouth are reported to value Tavernier at around £35-40 million, if they do agree to sell, while Aston Villa continue to operate cautiously under the Premier League’s Squad Cost Ratio after previous PSR pressures. A significant sale, such as Morgan Rogers, would comfortably fund the transfer, but even without one, Villa could make the deal work through structured payments and amortisation rather than a large upfront fee. |
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Insight |
Marcus Tavernier has developed into one of Bournemouth’s most dependable attacking players since joining from Middlesbrough in 2022. Across all competitions, he has made over 120 appearances, scoring 20 goals and providing 18 assists, while becoming known for his versatility, relentless work rate and ability to operate across multiple attacking positions. Ex-Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil also called him a ‘gifted‘ attacking player. |
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Impact |
Tavernier would give Villa greater depth and flexibility across the attacking midfield. His ability to play on either wing or centrally would also suit Unai Emery’s side, while his pressing, ball-carrying and creativity would provide strong competition for places and help manage the squad’s workload. |
Liverpool and Newcastle are also said to be keen, but all of these suitors will have a hard time convincing Bournemouth as Marco Rose looks to spearhead a new era.
How Marcus Tavernier would fit in at Villa
Tavernier has become an important figure at Bournemouth, developing into a consistent Premier League performer and managing 11 goal contributions in the top flight last season.
Primarily operating as a wide midfielder, he has also been used in more central roles, offering tactical flexibility across the front line and in advanced midfield positions.
Before his move to the south coast, Tavernier progressed through Middlesbrough’s academy, where he was regarded as one of the club’s most technically gifted young players.
He gained valuable Championship experience there, consistently featuring in attacking roles and developing the versatility that has since become a hallmark of his game.
Villa’s interest appears to be driven by the need for depth and variety in wide areas, particularly given the demands placed on players like Rogers across multiple competitions.
Tavernier’s profile as a hard-working, tactically adaptable midfielder makes him a useful option for squads competing on several fronts, where rotation and flexibility are essential.
From a tactical perspective, Tavernier could provide a different dimension to Villa’s attack.
He is capable of operating on either flank, drifting inside to support central play, or providing width when needed, which would allow Unai Emery to rotate without losing balance.
In terms of fit, he would not necessarily be seen as a direct replacement for Rogers, but someone who could at least contribute vital goals and assists in his stead.
With Villa expected to compete on multiple fronts once again, depth in wide areas will be crucial, and Tavernier’s Premier League experience makes him a low-risk option.
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