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Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has voiced his astonishment at the reported £130 million ($172m) valuation of Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers. The former French midfielder described the figure as a “ridiculous amount of money” while manager Mikel Arteta reportedly considers a record-setting transfer for the England international.

Petit taken aback by huge valuation

The transfer market continues to spiral, and the latest numbers surrounding Rogers have left one of Arsenal’s icons almost speechless. On hearing about Aston Villa’s staggering £130m price tag, Emmanuel Petit paused before sharply criticising the current state of football’s inflated market.

“This is a ridiculous amount of money. I mean, since we crossed the £100million threshold... Every day, I see price tags on players that make me say, ‘Wow, my God’. If you’re ready to spend that kind of money on one player who can make a difference... It was true for Declan Rice, and he’s done really well. But I wish him all the best because that kind of price tag brings huge pressure,” Petit said in an interview with talkSPORT.

Arsenal make Rogers their top summer target

Despite the massive price involved, Mikel Arteta is reportedly determined to sign the 23-year-old for Arsenal. The north London club has officially placed Rogers at the top of their transfer wishlist this summer as they aim to build on their recent success in the Premier League.

Although the potential transfer fee could surpass the existing British record, Rogers remains fully focused on his international duties with England at the 2026 World Cup. The forward is said to be open to a move to the Premier League champions, but Aston Villa are not under any immediate pressure to sell since the player’s contract runs until June 2031.

Nico Williams as a possible alternative

If Arsenal find the Rogers deal too costly or complicated, Petit has a particular alternative in mind. The Frenchman has recommended that his former club look towards Spain, specifically Athletic Club’s dynamic winger Nico Williams, who impressed during Euro 2024.

“I’ve been saying it for a year now, and I repeated it last week. Nico Williams, I love him,” Petit stated. Williams recently committed to a long-term contract with Athletic Club in Bilbao that runs until 2035, and he remains one of Europe’s most highly regarded young wingers. However, as of now, Arsenal have not made any formal approach for the 23-year-old, preferring to focus their efforts on bringing in Rogers.

Villa’s financial stance and strategic pricing

Aston Villa’s high valuation of Rogers is not only a reflection of his talent but also a calculated move to balance their financial obligations. The club must pay Middlesbrough a 20 per cent sell-on clause from Rogers’ 2024 transfer. By setting the asking price at £130m, Villa ensure they still secure a significant profit even after meeting that obligation.

Potential ripple effects at the Emirates

The situation could also have financial implications for Arsenal. To fund such an expensive deal, the Gunners might need to offload some existing players, and speculation continues around the future of Gabriel Martinelli. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is believed to be an admirer of the Brazilian forward, adding yet another layer of intrigue to the developing transfer discussions between the two Premier League clubs.