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Arsenal look set to miss out on a deal for Morgan Rogers with Chelsea swooping in but they could still sign a key member of England’s World Cup squad in the coming weeks<\/h2>\n <\/p>\n\n
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\nArsenal could swoop for free agent John Stones(Image: Bradley Collyer\/PA Wire)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
John Stones has emerged as a surprise target for Arsenal following the World Cup, with the veteran defender available on a free transfer.<\/p>\n
Stones brought the curtain down on a decade of domestic dominance with Manchester City at the end of the Premier League season before heading to the World Cup with England, playing a key role in the side’s run to the semi-finals of the tournament.<\/p>\n
With Stones now deciding his next move, the 32-year-old’s availability and extensive top-flight pedigree makes him an attractive proposition for elite clubs \u2014 and Arsenal look to be in need of defensive reinforcements amid concerns over William Saliba.<\/p>\n
The Arsenal star played through a back injury at the World Cup before breaking down in France’s semi-final defeat to Spain, and there are now fears that Saliba could be sidelined for up to five months.<\/p>\n
With Stones available, he is viewed as a cost-effective option to help Arsenal cope in Saliba’s absence according to The Sun, who claim the newly minted Premier League champions could soon swoop for a player who has battled against them in title races of years past.<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta knows Stones well from his stint working as an assistant coach for Manchester City and the opportunity to continue playing in the Premier League with a club primed to compete for major honours would likely appeal to the player.<\/p>\n
Stones, who is understood to have numerous options on the table including from suitors abroad, will consider his next move now that England’s involvement with the World Cup is over.<\/p>\n
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\nMorgan Rogers is set to join Chelsea rather than Arsenal(Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Arsenal’s interest in Stones comes following the bombshell news that one of their primary summer transfer targets, Morgan Rogers, is on the cusp of a blockbuster move to Chelsea.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old has been courted by both clubs for months with Arsenal keen to level up the left-hand side of their attack, an area Rogers is adept at operating in.<\/p>\n
And while Arsenal have long been considered the red-hot favourites to land the former Middlesbrough star, it emerged on Saturday night that Chelsea have agreed a \u00a3117million for the Aston Villa attacker, with Stamford Bridge emerging as Rogers’ preferred destination despite Arsenal’s interest.<\/p>\n
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