Danny Mills has said on talkSPORT that Arsenal may not be able to keep Martin Odegaard next season.
Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid in the January transfer widow.
The Gunners have been impressed by the Norway international attacking midfielder and want to speak to Madrid over signing the 22-year-old either on another loan deal or on a permanent contract at the end of the season, according to a report in Eurosport this week.
The report claimed that Arsenal could have to pay £40 million plus add-ons to secure the services of Odegaard on a permanent deal.
Former Manchester City and Leeds United right-back Mills, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports and talkSPORT – believes that Odegaard may have better options than Arsenal in the summer of 2021.
Mills said about Odegaard on talkSPORT: “He is s quality player, isn’t he? But if he keeps putting in quality performances, he may have other options. That’s for sure.
“He may have the option to go back to Madrid or other clubs will come in for him. And as much as Arsenal might want to keep him, he might look and go, ‘Hang on a minute, I have got better offers’. Slightly higher up with a better chance of progressing and winning things a little bit quicker.”
Staying at Arsenal?
Odegaard is doing well at the moment, with his performances against Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United earning rave reviews.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder seems happy at Arsenal and is playing regularly, and that could play a big role in his decision.
True, Madrid may want Odegaard back for next season and other clubs may want to sign him as well, but Arsenal still have a very good chance of being the Norwegian’s first choice.
Odegaard has scored one goal in 474 minutes in the Premier League and has scored one goal in 295 minutes in the Europa League for Arsenal, according to WhoScored.
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