Aston Villa are now eyeing a move for an "incredible" Morgan Rogers replacement, but they may have to shatter their transfer record to get a deal done.

Villa gearing up for Europa League final

Villa will be hoping to end their 30-year wait for a major trophy tonight, when they take on SC Freiburg in the Europa League final in Istanbul, and defeating the German side would cap off what has been a stellar season.

Unai Emery's side have already secured a top-five finish, and thus a return to the Champions League, with a 4-2 victory against Liverpool getting them over the line, and Rogers once again played a starring role.

The attacking midfielder was on the scoresheet for the tenth time in the Premier League this season, while also setting up Ollie Watkins' opening goal, and Emery will be hoping for a similar performance in the crucial match tonight.

The 23-year-old has been putting himself in the shop window with his performances, attracting interest from the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool, which could make it difficult for the Villans to retain him beyond the end of the season.

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According to a report from Football Insider, Bayern Munich are also interested in signing Rogers, which means Aston Villa may be forced to bring in a replacement this summer, and they are now plotting a move for Sporting CP star Pedro Goncalves.

However, the Europa League finalists may have to blitz their existing transfer record to get a deal done, as the Portugal international has a £80m release clause in his contract.

Sporting are open to bids, but there could be competition for Goncalves' signature, with Liverpool also keen, off the back of his remarkable performances for the Portuguese club over the course of several years.

The 27-year-old won the Liga Portugal Golden Boot in the 2020-21 season, courtesy of scoring 23 goals, and he has remained an integral player ever since, amassing 97 goals and 66 assists in a total of 238 appearances.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the left-winger, lauding him as "incredible" after Sporting knocked Arsenal out of the 2022-23 Europa League at the round of 16 stage.

Much like Rogers, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers man is also capable of playing in a more central role, according to scout Ben Mattinson, who said: "Moving Gonçalves centrally to play as an 8 at times last season was a masterstroke from Amorim. He was the main creative force who also provided goals too and even showed he was great at winning his duels. Arguably their most important player."

As such, Goncalves could be an ideal replacement for Rogers, but Villa are in a strong negotiating position, with the Englishman under contract until 2031.

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