Could Odegaard Join the Elite? Arsenal's Captain Eyes Place in Champions' Greatest Departures

Manchester United's reported interest in Martin Odegaard has set tongues wagging, with Arsenal potentially open to parting with their skipper for approximately £87m. The Gunners face pressure to offload a first-team player this summer, and having finally secured the Premier League crown, Odegaard's departure would be a symbolic one.

Should the Norwegian leave north London, he'd be joining an illustrious company of talents who've moved on from title-winning clubs. Here's our selection of the finest acquisitions made from Premier League champions.

GOALKEEPER: Petr Cech (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2015)

John Terry famously predicted that Cech would be worth "12 or 15 points a season" when the Czech shot-stopper made the short journey across London. Arsenal's haul in the seasons before his arrival was 75 points, followed by 71, 75, 63 and 70 during his four campaigns at the Emirates.

While the £10m fee hardly broke the bank, Cech delivered silverware and consistency. He claimed a fifth FA Cup and his fourth Golden Gloves award during three seasons as first choice, bridging the gap between the contrasting styles of Wojciech Szczesny and Bernd Leno.

RIGHT-BACK: William Gallas (Chelsea to Arsenal, 2006)

Before Willian and David Luiz made the Chelsea-to-Arsenal hop, there was Gallas – the first player to make that crossing in 40 years since George Graham. His four years in red proved divisive but productive.

The move to the number 10 shirt raised eyebrows, yet Gallas became Arsenal's third-highest scorer during their 2009 Champions League semi-final run. He captained the side, though an ill-advised interview questioning younger players' commitment cost him the armband. His departure mirrored his arrival – a pay dispute that saw Ashley Cole head the other direction.

CENTRE-HALF: Nathan Ake (Chelsea to Bournemouth, 2017)

By age 31, Ake had trained under Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho, Rafael Benitez and Quique Sanchez Flores – a masterclass in tactical education. Yet his Chelsea career barely got off the ground, with just a single substitute appearance in 2014/15 and two late cameos two years later.

Four Premier League medals sat in his collection, but none earned during meaningful minutes at Stamford Bridge. His move to Bournemouth proved the catalyst Manchester City later needed to sign him, where he's finally flourished.

CENTRE-HALF: Robert Huth (Chelsea to Middlesbrough, 2006)

The German defender had tasted Premier League glory twice at Chelsea but found himself surplus to requirements. After expressing unhappiness with his peripheral role, both Wigan and Everton circled – but Gareth Southgate's Middlesbrough won the race.

Huth's spell on Teesside was hampered by injury troubles, though he proved a solid addition to the defence. Boro eventually recouped nearly their entire investment when they eventually sold him on.

LEFT-BACK: Oleksandr Zinchenko (Manchester City to Arsenal, 2022)

Few players have been undone by tactical evolution quite like Zinchenko. His inverted left-back artistry was revolutionary at City, yet the Premier League's shift toward brute physicality – ironically led by Arsenal themselves – rendered his silky technique obsolete.

Mikel Arteta credited Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus with transforming the club's ambitions, with the manager noting that the pair believed Arsenal could win the league within weeks of arriving. Jesus persists in a supporting role, but Zinchenko's influence withered so dramatically that even relegation-battling Nottingham Forest couldn't find a place for him.

RIGHT-WINGER: Cole Palmer (Manchester City to Chelsea, 2023)

Chelsea's recent transfer strategy has been scattergun at best, yet Palmer emerged as the one signing that genuinely stuck. The Blues' sporting directors spotted an opportunity when Manchester City's manager showed little interest in using him.

In a single season at Stamford Bridge, Palmer eclipsed his 41 career appearances under Guardiola, establishing himself as a genuine talent rather than a speculative punt. He's rarely looked back since.

CENTRAL MIDFIELDER: N'Golo Kante (Leicester to Chelsea, 2016)

The last outfield player to win Premier League titles with different clubs in consecutive seasons before Kante was Eric Cantona in 1992 and 1993. The Frenchman's move from Leicester represented an audacious step up in ambition, replacing Esteban Cambiasso and improving significantly on John Obi Mikel.

In his first two seasons, Kante's only defeats came to Arsenal (twice), Liverpool, Spurs, Crystal Palace and Manchester United. A £32m outlay that proved criminally efficient – a bargain that seems impossible in today's market.

CENTRAL MIDFIELDER: Douglas Luiz (Manchester City to Aston Villa, 2019)

Manchester City's sell-on clause mastery reached peak absurdity with Douglas Luiz, a player who never actually represented the Etihad club. Villa paid £12.5m in 2019, later sold him to Juventus for £42.3m, with City collecting a cut of that fee.

The Brazilian has since returned to Villa Park on loan in 2026, where he appears most comfortable plying his trade in Unai Emery's midfield and contemplating European football in the West Midlands.

LEFT WINGER: Damien Duff (Chelsea to Newcastle, 2006)

Claudio Ranieri's mother adored him, and Jose Mourinho certainly admired his abilities, yet Duff felt the need to escape Chelsea before being pushed out the door. His 125 appearances in three years at Stamford Bridge earned him respect, but Newcastle's overtures proved irresistible.

The move proved regrettable, ending in Tyneside relegation. Still, the Irishman secured the Intertoto Cup and enjoyed the peculiar honour of being managed by Nigel Pearson. Twice.

CENTRE-FORWARD: Teddy Sheringham (Manchester United to Tottenham, 2001)

A Golden Boot winner beloved by his own supporters, Sheringham entered his 30s without the silverware his goalscoring prowess deserved. He departed Manchester United to complete his trophy collection, returning four years later laden with honours.

His second spell at White Hart Lane proved bittersweet – Spurs reached a League Cup final they lost to Blackburn, a side they'd beaten in the league and finished above. The reigning PFA and FWA Footballer of the Year helped deliver Spurs' best Premier League finish in six years, though his relationship with Glenn Hoddle suffered in the process.

CENTRE-FORWARD: Dion Dublin (Manchester United to Coventry, 1994)

Sir Alex Ferguson expressed delight when Dublin chose Manchester United over Chelsea and Everton in 1992, yet the striker languished at Old Trafford. In two years, he managed just 15 appearances and didn't even qualify for Premier League winner's medals in 1993 or 1994 – though special dispensation was granted for the former.

Seeking regular football, Dublin headed to Coventry, where he flourished. Over four seasons, he notched 152 games and 63 goals, claimed a third of a Golden Boot, earned four England caps and helped the Sky Blues survive repeatedly. When Aston Villa came calling, Coventry nearly tripled their initial outlay.