Aston Villa are competing with Bournemouth and Atlético Madrid for Roma’s Matias Soule as Rogers replacement planning intensifies.
- The 23-year-old Argentine has six goals and five assists in 29 Serie A appearances for Roma this season
- Roma are open to a summer sale for around €40m (£35m) given their financial situation
- Soule can operate as an attacking midfielder, second striker, or right winger
- Villa’s interest coincides directly with growing uncertainty over Morgan Rogers’ future
The Rogers context. Villa are planning ahead
The timing of Aston Villa’s reported interest in Matias Soule is directly connected to the growing uncertainty surrounding Morgan Rogers.
Manchester United have specifically earmarked the 23-year-old as Bruno Fernandes’ long-term successor. Liverpool are equally keen. PSG have entered the race.
The understanding between Rogers and Villa’s hierarchy that this summer may be the right time to part ways has created a genuine and pressing need for attacking midfield reinforcement.
Soule’s profile addresses that need with remarkable precision.
The Argentine operates primarily as an attacking midfielder or second striker, precisely the role Rogers has made his own at Villa Park, while also providing versatility on the right wing that would give Emery additional tactical flexibility across a Champions League campaign.
At £35m, the fee represents outstanding value for a player who has consistently developed at Roma following his breakthrough season at Frosinone.
The Soule profile. Why everyone wants him
The 23-year-old first announced himself to European football with Frosinone in 2023-24: 11 goals and three assists in 36 Serie A appearances drawing widespread praise and significant transfer interest.
Como scout Ben Mattinson captured the appeal succinctly at the time. “Soulé is just generally a really entertaining player to watch,” he stated. “He plays with flair and a level of confidence that’s so engaging. The Argentine has an inevitability about him, when he has the ball in certain areas, he will make something happen.“
That description could apply to Rogers in claret and blue, which is precisely why Soule’s recruitment makes tactical sense as a potential successor.
His subsequent development at Roma: six goals and five assists across 29 Serie A appearances this season, suggests a player ready to test himself at the next level.
Roma’s financial reality is Villa’s opportunity
Roma are not in the strongest financial position heading into the summer: a reality that makes them genuinely open to sanctioning Soule’s departure for the right offer.
A fee of €40m has been touted as the realistic selling price; a figure that represents achievable investment for a Villa side expecting significant inflows from Rogers’ sale and potential Champions League revenue.
Atlético Madrid represent the most serious competition for Soule’s signature alongside Bournemouth. Diego Simeone’s side capable of offering Champions League football and a higher wage package.
However, Villa’s specific positional need, their established Premier League platform, and the prospect of Champions League football next season provide a compelling counter-argument.
Rogers can still stay if Villa deliver on Thursday
One crucial caveat deserves acknowledgement. Villa’s pursuit of Soule is contingent planning, not a confirmed departure strategy. Rogers has 121 appearances, 29 goals, and 26 assists for the club.
Winning the Europa League semifinal on Thursday 7 May at Villa Park could dramatically alter the summer conversation, potentially convincing the 23-year-old that his trophy ambitions can be fulfilled in Birmingham after all.
Thursday’s second leg is everything. But the recruitment team cannot wait for its outcome before identifying successors.
Soule at £35m, with Rogers’ sale funding the broader rebuild, represents intelligent and proactive planning.
