Ex-Arsenal midfield icon Paul Merson has spoken out regarding the future of Martin Odegaard, who is on-loan from Real Madrid, with words of caution to Mikel Arteta over playing the Norwegian with no guarantee of him staying beyond May.
Odegaard has impressed all associated with Arsenal and has ousted Emile Smith-Rowe from the number 10 role, but there is no guarantee of keeping the Norwegian playmaker and a report in the Sun claims that Real Madrid have no interest in selling.
“Martin Odegaard looks a really good player and I hope Arsenal have a chance of signing him permanently,” Merson was quoted as saying via the report.
“Because if they don’t have a chance of making his loan permanent next season, why is he playing?”
“If they know he doesn’t want to stay, he shouldn’t be playing because he’s taking opportunities away from people like Emile Smith Rowe.”
“So I hope Arsenal have done their homework and know what the situation is – I’d be disappointed if they haven’t already made a bid to be honest.”
Odegaard doesn’t appear to have any kind of agreement in-place with Arsenal at this stage so it appears to be out of the Gunners’ hands to bring him back next season. On top of that his impressive form has reportedly caught the eye of clubs across the continent and a bidding war is the last thing Arsenal would want.
A potential change in management at Real Madrid in the summer, should Zidane fail to deliver silverware, will further put Odegaard’s future in north London in doubt.
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