Martin Odegaard could be the ‘attacking, creative linchpin’ for Arsenal going forward, according to the Arseblog podcast.
Odegaard made the loan switch from Real Madrid to North London in late January.
The Norwegian international has scored two goals in his last three appearances, rifling in away to Olympiacos in the Europa League Round of 16 first leg before a deflected effort in the North London derby.
His Thursday-night outings have been particularly impressive. Across four games, he has averaged 2.3 key passes and 1.8 dribbles per 90 (via WhoScored).
But according to Spanish publication MARCA, Real Madrid would ideally like to keep Odegaard.
‘Arteta clearly loves Odegaard’
“We’re all sitting here and we can all see an Arsenal future with Martin Odegaard as part of it, it’s really easy to see that,” Andrew Mangan said on Friday’s episode.
“The impact he has made has been really obvious.”
Mangan hopes the efforts to make the transfer permanent are already underway.
He acknowledges that the club are in a tricky position, but reckons Odegaard could be persuaded to push for the move.
“The problem, of course, is that the better he plays, the more likely [it is] that Real Madrid want him to stay,” he said.
“I’m hoping behind the scenes that there are conversations. “Arteta clearly loves him.
“The one thing that we have going for us is his presence, and the ability to sell him on a project and say ‘you could be the attacking, creative linchpin of this club going forward’.”
Could permanent Odegaard move be best for everyone?
Bringing in Odegaard in January has already proven to be a clever piece of business from Arsenal.
Transfermarkt value the 22-year-old at £36million, and the club surely wouldn’t baulk at a sum like that.
Odegaard’s prospects at Real are limited – he only started two league games in the first half of the season and was an unused substitute on six occasions.
This prospective deal may be in the best interests of all parties involved.