In a twist that’s set the football world alight, Manchester City have ignited a transfer saga with a jaw-dropping plan to bring Morgan Rogers back into their fold. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, currently thriving at Aston Villa, has caught the eye of his former club, where he once honed his skills in their academy. Pep Guardiola, the mastermind behind City’s recent dominance, is reportedly smitten with Rogers, seeing him as a key piece to rejuvenate a squad facing an uncertain future. With Kevin De Bruyne’s departure looming in the summer of 2025, the Citizens are plotting a bold move to re-sign the England international, but Aston Villa’s stance is as firm as a fortress—they’re not letting their star go without a fight.
Rogers’ journey is the stuff of football fairy tales. Born in Halesowen, he cut his teeth at West Bromwich Albion before Manchester City snapped him up in 2019 for £4 million. Back then, he was a raw talent, a teenager with dreams bigger than the Etihad Stadium itself. But first-team opportunities eluded him, and after loan spells at Lincoln City, Bournemouth, and Blackpool, City let him slip away to Middlesbrough in 2023 for a modest £1 million. It was a decision that seemed routine at the time, but oh, how the tides have turned. Rogers exploded onto the scene at Villa after a £15 million move in February 2024, racking up 12 goals and 11 assists in his second season. “I wasn’t good enough, simple as that,” he once said of his City days, reflecting on a time when he felt unready for the big stage. Now, with an England cap under his belt and a hat-trick against Celtic in the Champions League, he’s proving he’s more than ready—he’s a revelation.
Guardiola’s admiration isn’t hard to understand. “Pep loves him,” insiders have whispered, and it’s easy to see why. Rogers brings a blend of physicality, flair, and tactical nous—attributes that could fill the void left by De Bruyne, whose emotional farewell has left City fans bracing for a new era. The Belgian’s exit after a decade of brilliance—16 trophies, 106 goals, 174 assists—marks the end of a golden chapter, and Rogers, with his powerful runs and deft touch, is seen as the heir apparent. City’s “serious hopes” of landing him hinge on a hefty bid, though, as Villa have no intention of parting with their gem easily. “It does not work when you’re trying to poach our best,” a Villa sentiment seems to echo, their resolve stiffened by Rogers’ new contract, tying him to the club until 2030.
The stakes are high for City, who’ve stumbled this season, slipping to seventh in the Premier League after a string of losses, including a 2-1 defeat to Villa where Rogers scored and assisted. That match was a personal triumph for the midfielder, a “look what you let go” moment against his old employers. “Bravery was the big one for us—just to be brave with the ball and show what we are all about,” he said after that game, a statement that could double as his career mantra. His rise from Middlesbrough’s Championship battles to Villa’s Champions League heroics—where he’s notched three goals and two assists in 10 matches—has turned heads, not just at City but at Liverpool and clubs abroad too.
Villa, though, are riding high under Unai Emery, sitting sixth and dreaming of European glory. Rogers is the heartbeat of their attack, a versatile force who’s started every league and Champions League game this season. His market value has soared to £50 million, but some whisper it could take over £100 million to pry him away—rivaling the fee City paid for Jack Grealish in 2021. Grealish’s struggles since that move serve as a cautionary tale, but Rogers’ trajectory suggests he’s a different beast, one forged through adversity and now flourishing in the spotlight.
As the summer transfer window looms, this saga promises fireworks. City’s stunning decision to chase their former prospect is a gamble on nostalgia and potential, but Villa’s clear stance sets the stage for a tug-of-war. For Rogers, it’s a testament to a journey that’s taken him from the fringes to the forefront, a kid who once felt lost at City now holding the keys to its future—or Villa’s. Whichever way it swings, one thing’s certain: the football world won’t take its eyes off this one.
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