Midlaner Emil "Larssen" Larsson’s starting spot with Natus Vincere in the LEC is in doubt for 2026, sources told Sheep Esports on Wednesday. Although still under contract until the end of 2027—carried over from Rogue as part of NAVI’s LEC entry—the organization has begun exploring alternatives in the midlane.

The decision comes only months after the Swedish veteran had agreed to stay with the team during the Summer split on a reduced salary. He would be the second player to be replaced by NAVI after the Ukrainian organization also decided to part ways with Kim "Malrang" Geun-seong for the next season, as previously reported by Sheep Esports.

Back in June, Sheep Esports also reported that Larssen had accepted a significant pay cut to remain with NAVI after the organization’s acquisition of Rogue’s League of Legends division. Once one of the highest-paid players in the league, his new deal was much closer to the LEC average.

A whole new roster

At the time, NAVI had viewed him as a valuable cornerstone for their debut roster, both as a proven competitor and as a legacy player tied to Rogue’s history. However, despite his pedigree — which includes an LEC title in 2022 and years spent among the league’s elite midlaners — results have struggled to follow in recent seasons, especially since the merger with KOI back in 2023. Multiple missed playoff appearances and declining form left Larssen’s long-term future in question. Sources now indicate that NAVI has opted to move on, exploring other options for their midlane going into 2026.

This could mark a dramatic turn in Larssen’s trajectory. Once considered one of the only mids in Europe capable of competing with Rasmus "Caps" Winther, he now faces a crucial offseason where he may need to reestablish his place in the LEC or explore opportunities in other leagues.

For more roster changes, check out our Transfers Hub and Offseason Live Tracker.