£100m star is expected to sign for Arsenal ASAP

As Martin Odegaard walked up to collect the Premier League trophy a month ago, he did so while sporting a beaming smile. Arsenal had finally done it, they were top-flight champions for the first time in over two decades.

However, despite being captain, Odegaard’s contribution last season had not been a particularly big one.

Due to injury and form, the Norwegian only scored once all campaign. He looks a shadow of the player who was starting to become one of the best midfielders in Europe under Mikel Arteta’s watch.

As a result, questions marks surrounding his future have started to emerge. Those questions will only get bigger the longer the summer goes on.

Arsenal could sign £100m Odegaard replacement

This summer is a massive one for the Gunners as they look to back up their title win.

Co-owner Josh Kroenke has already hinted it could be another hefty window as far as spending is concerned while Arteta issued a rallying cry for more ambition to be shown after the Champions League final.

Well, how’s this for ambition? Arsenal’s ‘dream target’ this summer is said to be Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez. However, his preferred move is Barcelona and he is prioritising that before anything else. Still, Andrea Berta has been trying to get this one done for over a year now. Their interest is in the player is very real.

It does feel as though that one is something of a pipe dream. Instead, their chase for Morgan Rogers feels like it that could end up being rather more fruitful.

Reports earlier this week indicated that the player is very much keen on the move and has told Aston Villa officials as much. There will be no issue on personal terms.

As a result, a deal is very much on the cards. Providing the latest on the club’s pursuit of Rogers, Ben Jacobs told the Latte Firm Arsenal podcast: “I do expect Arsenal to sign Morgan Rogers. He is Arsenal’s leading target for left-wing and/or number 10.”

Jacobs continued: “Arsenal are expected to bid and this could move quickly. Aston Villa, even with Champions League football, are looking for a major sale to balance their books. When Rogers extended last year, there was an understanding that he could leave this summer for a fee of £80m as a starting point. I’m still told engagement will start at £80m, that’s not to say it’ll be the number that secures a transfer, but that is the beginning to start a conversation with Aston Villa. I think there’s a very strong chance this deal happens.”

While £80m is seen as the starting point, it is widely reported the Midlands side are hoping to generate a bidding war that ensures the fee reaches £100m.

Why Morgan Rogers is bad news for Martin Odegaard

It’s a long time now since Odegaard found regular form in an Arsenal shirt.

Back in 2022/23, he was one of the best players in the division. Indeed, no midfielder in the Premier League scored more than his 15 that term.

However, since then, it has been a tale of regression for the skipper. Arsenal may finally be champions but Odegaard’s performance levels and fitness has been poor.

In 2025/26, he only scored once all season and started just 16 league matches. He was only in the squad on 25 occasions too. It was a simialr story a year prior when Odegaard started 26 of the 38 Premier League games, scoring only three times.

The puzzling thing about the Norway star is that creatively, he is still one of the best around. Last term, only three players in the whole of England’s top-flight registered more key passes per 90 minutes.

The trouble is that, in general, Odegaard’s performances have dipped far too much and it is no surprise to hear that he could be on his way out.

Speaking on another version of the Latte Firm podcast, the BBC’s Sami Mokbel suggested that the Gunners could soon look to cash in, saying: “There have been some whispers over the summer that Arsenal might be interested in letting Martin Odegaard go for the right price.”

Well, the arrival of Rogers could only hasten that process. While it is expected that the England man will arrive and play off the left, he has primarily been used as a number 10 under Unai Emery.

Compared to Odegaard, the 23-year-old is far more prolific. He has scored 14 goals in back to back seasons now. Rogers’ running power, ability to carry the ball and his duel-winning ability is also far ahead of the current club captain.

It’s important to state that when it comes to generating goalscoring chances, the former Real Madrid man is the best in the side. That’s why it would be so difficult to cash in.

However, in pretty much every other area, Rogers reigns surpreme. The unpredictability he could offer Arteta’s side in attack would be game-changing. Whether it be off the left or through the middle, Arsenal need more mavericks like him.