Alan Smith has named the Arsenal player most at risk of being sold as Mikel Arteta looks to bring Morgan Rogers to the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta has identified Aston Villa and England star Rogers as one of his top targets this summer.
The Gunners boss is keen to bolster his title-winning squad and views Rogers, 23, as an ideal addition.
Rogers has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League over the past two years, helping Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League and winning the Europa League last season.
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His form earned him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad and Rogers came on as a substitute in England’s first two group games.
While Rogers has also attracted interest from the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal are believed to be confident of winning a transfer race which could end up costing more than £100m.
Arsenal legend Smith is not surprised by Villa’s huge valuation for Rogers but says a move to north London could be dependant on player sales, tipping captain Martin Odegaard to be moved on.
Odegaard has been a mainstay in Arteta’s team since his move from Real Madrid in 2021 but struggled with form and fitness last season, scoring just one goal.
It was reported earlier this week that Arsenal would be open to selling Odegaard should a suitable offer arrival on the table.
Asked about Arsenal’s pursuit of Rogers, Smith told BestBettingSites: ‘I suppose, you know, they’d want to get really good money for Martin Odegaard as well.
‘You can’t bring Rogers in without somebody going out because Eberechi Eze is in there as well, and he likes to play in a similar position.
‘Every player available seems to gets quoted for £100m or somewhere close to it. It’s all part of the negotiation, I suppose, for the selling club.
‘But he’s a youngish player, an England international and a player who is very good and proven at Premier League level.
‘So Aston Villa will start high in terms of a fee – clubs will certainly have to pay a good few quid for him.’
Fellow Arsenal legend Paul Merson has also raised doubt over Odegaard’s future at the Emirates Stadium, claiming Arteta will ‘probably’ consider a summer sale.
‘It’s madness for me to be saying this, but they probably will be thinking about that [selling Martin Odegaard]’, Merson said on The Sports Agents.
‘But for me, I still think there’ll be teams queuing round the block for him… When you play in the position that Odegaard plays in, you’re screaming out for pace up front. You have to have pace.’
Rogers could yet play a role in helping England win the World Cup, with the Three Lions set for the knockout stages ahead of their final group game against Panama on Saturday night.
Discussing the potential of his club and country teammate, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins said: ‘Morgan can go to the very top.
‘You’ve seen what he can do in a short space of time in 18 months, how he’s developed and started to perform at the top, top level which has got him all the recognition he deserves.
‘I think he’s got his head on his shoulders at the end of the day, he’s an intelligent guy who is hardworking and confidence in his own ability and I think he can go to the very top.’
As well as targeting Rogers, Arsenal are also in the market for a new striker, although Atletico Madrid are standing firm over Julian Alvarez.
Odegaard is not the only current Arsenal player being linked with a summer move, with the Gunners believed to be open to offers for Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Ben White.
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