After his stunning start to life at Arsenal, many are desperate to see Martin Ødegaard stay in north London on a permanent basis.
The 22-year-old has two goals in his last four games for the Gunners, including a vital goal in the north London derby win over Tottenham.
Ødegaard’s other strike again held significance, as it helped Arsenal progress into the Europa League quarter-finals.
However, Marca provide bad news.
They claim that Real Madrid are planning for the future with Ødegaard involved, which puts a serious dent in Arsenal’s hopes.
Having said that, a Tottenham player could hold the key to Arteta bringing the Norway international to the Emirates Stadium permanently.
Recently, Gareth Bale revealed his plans to return to Real Madrid next season.
However, the Spanish champions don’t want him, or his £650,000-a-week wages, anywhere near the Santiago Bernabeu according to the Daily Mail.
That is perhaps due to Real Madrid’s crippling financial situation.
Excessive spending – and the impacts of COVID-19 – have left Zinedine Zidane’s side needing wage cuts in order to keep their heads above water, according to AS.
In that respect, Real Madrid surely won’t want the 10-goal Spurs man to stay, but if he makes it difficult and refuses to leave, the club might have to sell other assets.
After all, Bale holds the cards here, as few sides – if any – in world football will be able to pay his wages, especially during a global pandemic.
If Ødegaard keeps this form up, Arsenal will surely be happy to spend a significant sum on him, so that’s one way in which Real Madrid could raise some cash.
It all depends on what Bale does this summer.
If he and his £650,000-a-week wages make Zidane’s life difficult, Arsenal could be the beneficiaries of a side in need of a cash injection.
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