Chelsea’s record-breaking £117m swoop for Morgan Rogers stung Arsenal fans. But there’s a 21-year-old World Cup star at RB Leipzig who could ease the pain — and cost a fraction of the price.
Morgan Rogers chose Stamford Bridge over the Emirates. That’s the reality Arsenal now face. After weeks of being linked as the Gunners’ top attacking target, Rogers signed a seven-year deal with Chelsea, calling them “the biggest club in London.”
Ouch.
So where does Mikel Arteta turn next? Former Premier League striker Troy Deeney has an answer. And it’s one that Arsenal fans should seriously consider.
Antonio Nusa: The Name Arsenal Should Be Chasing
Speaking on talkSPORT, Deeney made a passionate pitch for RB Leipzig winger Antonio Nusa. The Norwegian, still just 21, has been turning heads all summer — especially at the World Cup.
Deeney didn’t hold back in his assessment. He described Nusa as someone who fills a problem area for Arsenal — the left wing — while offering something different from what’s currently on the market.
Here’s what makes Nusa stand out:
- He scored a stunning curler against Ivory Coast in the World Cup’s round of 32, helping Norway advance
- He started every game as Norway reached the quarter-finals — their best World Cup run ever
- He’s logged 71 career appearances at RB Leipzig, contributing 10 goals
- He holds Champions League experience from his time at Club Brugge, where he became the second-youngest scorer in the competition’s history
- Multiple clubs — including Newcastle, Juventus, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich — are tracking him closely
Deeney also highlighted a telling detail about Nusa’s pace. He’s one of the few players who can genuinely keep up with Erling Haaland on the break. That’s not a small thing.
The English Tax Problem
One of Deeney’s strongest points? Value. Rogers cost Chelsea a British-record fee. Declan Rice’s move to Arsenal cost over £100m. Elliot Anderson’s switch to Manchester City was £116m.
The pattern’s clear. English players carry a hefty premium.
Nusa originally joined Leipzig from Club Brugge for roughly £19m in 2024. Reports from Sky Germany now suggest Leipzig want around €60m — still significantly less than what Arsenal would’ve spent on Rogers.
Arsenal have already been smart with their spending this summer. They made Piero Hincapie’s loan permanent from Bayer Leverkusen and brought in Illan Meslier on a free transfer. Christos Tzolis is close to arriving from Club Brugge for around £34m as a direct Leandro Trossard replacement.
But Tzolis alone won’t fill the gap Rogers was supposed to plug. Arteta needs another dynamic wide option. Bradley Barcola at PSG has been mentioned, but Paris want over £100m. That’s Rogers-level money again.
Nusa sits in a sweet spot — proven talent, rising stock, and a price that won’t break the bank.
Can Arsenal Actually Get This Done?
Here’s the complication. Arsenal aren’t the only club watching. Newcastle want a Gordon replacement. Barcelona have reportedly shown interest. Even Tottenham have been linked.
Leipzig don’t need to sell either. Nusa’s contract runs until 2029. They hold all the cards.
But Arsenal have something many rivals don’t — a clear project, Champions League football, and a Premier League title on the CV. For a 21-year-old looking to take the next step, north London makes sense.
Deeney summed it up well. There are “gems out there” that do the job just as effectively as marquee signings. Nusa could be exactly that kind of player.
Arsenal’s summer isn’t done yet. The Rogers miss hurts, no question. But sometimes the best signings are the ones nobody saw coming. If Arteta’s team can move quickly and beat the growing crowd of suitors, Nusa could prove to be the smarter deal — and the more exciting one too.
