Arsenal are ready to hand Martin Odegaard a 40% pay rise on his Real Madrid contract to seal the permanent return of the Norwegian playmaker, according to Defensa Central.
Odegaard spent the second half of last season on loan at the Emirates Stadium and proved an instant hit. The 22-year-old made a telling difference to Mikel Arteta’s side and offered an inspirational presence in the north Londoners’ midfield.
Arteta has since chased a permanent transfer, with The Athletic reporting in May he made the 30-cap international, who struck two goals and two assists in 20 games, the Gunners’ top target. But Carlo Ancelotti wants to keep him in Spain after replacing Zinedine Zidane.
However, Defensa Central now claim Odegaard has doubts over his Real Madrid role as Arsenal line up an offer. Arteta wants the midfielder back at all costs and has insisted to the Gunners’ hierarchy his desire for a deal.
Ancelotti still wants to convince Odegaard to stay in Madrid, but Arsenal are set to gazump his Real wage. The Emirates Stadium leadership are ready to pay the Norway captain €7m-a-year (£115k-p/w), marking at least a 40% rise on his current salary.
Los Blancos pay Odegaard around €4.5-5m-a-year (£73k-£82k-p/w), and he would have a much more serious fight for minutes in Madrid. Yet the Galacticos will not allow Arteta an easy deal and will only sell for the right price.
Reports by The Sun previously claimed Real Madrid wanted £50m for Odegaard, but Arsenal were looking to pay around £30m. But Arteta’s desires have now seen the Gunners ready a lucrative contract and could be enough to close the gap.
Real Madrid’s Odegaard and Arsenal’s Arteta have huge respect for each other
Odegaard and Arteta have a huge amount of respect for each other after the Real Madrid maestro’s Arsenal loan spell. So, if Odegaard is having doubts over his role under Ancelotti, it is no surprise Arteta is ready pursue him.
Arteta stated, via Sky Sports in February, a month after Odegaard’s arrival: “He is a young leader. On the pitch, he is showing a lot of character and a lot of intelligence.” The Spaniard then added in March, via the Gunners’ website, that the Norwegian is ‘incredible’.
A comment Odegaard later reciprocated, telling VG: “[Arteta] is incredibly good. I have a lot to learn from him. Just sharpen your ears and follow. He is fantastic.” And could now be set for another lessen under the Gunners boss if Arsenal strike a deal with Real Madrid.
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