Luke is a journalist at GiveMeSport with over five years’ experience in the media industry, previously working on titles such as Football London, The Mirror, and TBR Football. Luke graduated from the University of Derby in 2021 with a Football Journalism degree, though his first roles included work with The Hundred and on the Paralympics and Winter Olympics.
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As Morgan Rogers continues to be linked with a possible exit from Aston Villa in the summer, a new name for the attacking midfield role has emerged at Villa Park, if recent reports are to be believed.

Rogers has been an integral player for his side ever since he made the switch from Middlesbrough in January 2024, where a bargain £8 million fee was paid.

In that time, the 23-year-old has picked up 120 appearances for Aston Villa across all competitions, scoring 29 goals and assisting 26, but his overall performances have added more than just pure output to the pitch.

It’s no surprise, then, that Rogers has been linked with a transfer this summer, even despite his contract extension in November 2025, which should take his stay until 2031.

As that saga rumbles on, Unai Emery’s side have been linked with another playmaker who could be a replacement if a move does occur.

Aston Villa enquire about Gabriel Sara deal

As Emery closes in on Champions League qualification for next season, attention turns to the summer, with moves being made to strengthen the team further.

One player who has emerged as a target is Galatasaray star Gabriel Sara, as Tuttomercatoweb claims that Aston Villa have made contact “in recent days” over a possible transfer.

It’s claimed that a €30 million (£25.9 million) fee would be enough to tempt the Turkish Super Lig side into accepting a deal for the ‘magical’ former Norwich City man, who has scored five and assisted four in 27 appearances this season.

Sara has shared his minutes this campaign across central midfield and attacking midfield, making him a deeper option compared to Rogers, who can play wider if required.

It’s unclear whether they will make a push to land the Brazil international after making that initial enquiry, though interest also lurks from Atletico Madrid.

What Gabriel Sara can offer Aston Villa

In Sara, Aston Villa could have a player who is capable of doing plenty in an attacking sense, but also in a deeper position if required.

The talent was there to see from his time in the Championship with Norwich, with him being described as “technically gifted” during his spell at the club.

Given how well Rogers stepped up from the second tier to the Premier League, it would be no surprise to see Sara do the same, with the added experience in Turkiye thrown in there.

Sara could be penned down as a replacement for Villa’s star man, but he could fill several roles, such as central midfield if Douglas Luiz’s loan switch from Juventus isn’t made permanent again in the summer.

It’s clear that Emery will need some strength in depth, and at the very least, the 26-year-old would offer that, while he could provide an important replacement if several exits occur.