Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has dismissed speculation linking the Premier League champions with a move for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford, telling talkSPORT he would be 'surprised' if such a transfer materialised.
Arsenal have endured a frustrating start to the summer transfer window following their title triumph, with free agent Illan Meslier the only new arrival so far. The club did make Piero Hincapie's loan permanent for £35m last month, but a primary target for the left wing, Morgan Rogers, has slipped through their grasp.
Rogers, who scored ten goals and provided six assists for Aston Villa last season, was identified as Arsenal's number one target. However, Chelsea hijacked the move with a £117m offer for the 23-year-old England international, who has agreed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge until 2032.
Keown questions Rashford fit
With Leandro Trossard departing for Besiktas last week, Arsenal have been tentatively linked with Rashford. But Keown poured cold water on the idea. 'I don't see that, I'd be surprised if that happened,' he said.
'By the way, I thought actually that Rashford did well for Aston Villa. They didn't have the money to buy these players so they had to pay them big wages. That's a problem for Villa having to balance the books.'
Keown acknowledged Rashford's off-field struggles, adding: 'I just think maybe he went off the rails, lots of talk behind the scenes about what may have been issues. I think he's back on track now.'
The former defender also questioned how Rashford would fit back in at Manchester United under Michael Carrick, and whether returning to the city could be a distraction. 'But I think he's back on keel and you want to see these players at their best. It's a short career so get out there and play. Hopefully those problems are now behind him.'
Arsenal's transfer plans
Keown expects Arsenal to sign a central midfielder, a left winger, and potentially a centre-forward to compete with Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz. A £34m deal for Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis has reportedly been struck.
Regarding Rogers, Keown believes the move was purely financial. 'He must have been too expensive for Arsenal. My take on it is Unai Emery wouldn't have wanted him to go to Arsenal. If you ask the player, wholeheartedly, does he want to join the current champions or does he want to go to Chelsea? But that's not going to be allowed to happen because this is a money move.'
Keown added: 'It's important to Aston Villa so that they can stay inside the regulations. I think they've suffered massively, Aston Villa, and Newcastle. It's a real shame and Villa were building something really special.'
Despite the hefty fee, Keown has no doubts about Rogers' talent. 'I think he's a real talent, he showed that in the World Cup, and he's going to be a big loss to Aston Villa. Youri Tielemans also gone, that engine room… and all to balance the books. The money is crazy. It's market force, it's what people pay. Of course it's too much money but it's the only way that Chelsea can get him to the football club. Money talks in this situation for Villa and that is a hell of a lot of money.'
