Aston Villa are now clear favourites to sign Middlesbrough forward Morgan Rogers in the January window.
According to a report from the Sunday People (28 January, page 63), West Ham made a late move to sign Rogers this month, but Boro have rejected a bid from them.
It has now cleared the path for him to join Villa Park in the closing stages of the transfer window in a deal worth £12.5m.
Boro have demanded a high asking price for the 21-year-old due to a sell-on clause in his deal that would see Manchester City receive profit from his departure.
Villa have had an opening bid for the youngster rejected and they are expected to make a second bid for the player. West Ham have now withdrawn from the race which will allow Villa to finally get the player they have wanted this month.
Get it done
Rogers has been in terrific form this season for Boro where he scored two goals and provided six assists in 26 Championship appearances this season. He also managed five goals and two assists and helped Boro to reach the Carabao Cup semi-final.
He would be a terrific signing for Villa who are in the mix for a Premier League top-four finish. Three teams – Manchester City, Arsenal and Villa – are sharing the same points (43) at the moment, with City having played a game less.
Villa could be involved in a late flurry of signings this month and Rodgers could be the first of many. Boro didn’t want to let him go this month, but they are powerless if the right offer come in the way. Unai Emery also needs to sign a good striker this month and he has been linked with a move for Chelsea’s Armando Broja.
Villa will face Newcastle in the Premier League on Tuesday (30 January) at Villa Park.
