Middlesbrough Head of Football Kieran Scott has been discussing Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers.
Boro have let go of some top-class players over the years, with 29-goal striker Chuba Akpom one of the most notable departures in recent memory.
However, following his transfer to Aston Villa, Morgan Rogers could become one of the greatest players to feature for Middlesbrough.
Rogers joined the Teessiders in the summer of 2023 from Manchester City for around £1m.
The midfielder had a superb start to life at the Riverside Stadium, scoring seven and providing nine assists in 33 matches across all competitions.
Middlesbrough were only able to keep hold of the Englishman for just over six months though, as he moved to Villa Park at the end of the 2024 January transfer window.
The 22-year-old has since cemented himself as an integral part of Unai Emery’s first-team squad.
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Middlesbrough chief Kieran Scott makes Morgan Rogers claim
Rogers has started all four of Aston Villa’s Premier League games this term and has been in top form.
His early-season form earned the ex-Boro man a call-up for England’s U21 side during the most recent international break.
Now, as per the Northern Echo, after watching him in action for the Young Lions, Kieran Scott believes Rogers is ready to make the step up to England’s senior team.
He said: “Morgan, as we’ve spoken about on a few occasions, was a unique situation in that we saw massive potential in him as a group of staff and within six months he’s almost released it.
“I’ll be honest, I went to the game at the Under-21s at Luton and watched Morgan play and he looked levels ahead at that level now. I think he’s ready to make the step-up at that level.”
Morgan Rogers can hand Middlesbrough cash injection this season
Rogers did not get the call-up from Lee Carsley this month but there are still three more international breaks in 2024/25.
If he keeps up his current club form, the Aston Villa man should be in line for his first senior call-up at some point this season.
If and when that happens, Middlesbrough and Scott are set to benefit greatly.
Aston Villa paid the North East outfit an initial £11m for Rogers, which was a massive profit for the club after they gave around a tenth of that to Man City.
But a number of performance-related add-ons were also included in the deal. Middlesbrough will earn around £5m from Rogers’ add-ons once they are all met.
And it is understood that one of those clauses will be activated once the player is called up for England’s first team.
After Middlesbrough sold just one player over the summer, extra funds from Rogers will come as a massive boost for Michael Carrick and his transfer plans going forward.