Arsenal: 5 positives and negatives of Martin Odegaard transfer

2. Martin Odegaard is Cheaper Than James Maddison

The main sticking point with any potential James Maddison deal is that he will be costing £60m or more. Arsenal could find ways to lower that figure with the inclusion of Ainsley Maitland-Niles or Reiss Nelson, but it depends on Leicester’s desires.

With a rumoured valuation of £34m, Odegaard would come in at nearly half of Maddison’s price. Sell Nelson and Maitland-Niles and you might just make up for that amount entirely.

And cost is important even if we’re not privy to how much the club has to spend this summer. Securing a No. 10 is crucial to the summer plans but a certified starter in midfield to partner Thomas Partey is arguably more important.

This is a position that Arsenal can’t skimp on.

Whoever comes in needs to hit the ground running and be ready to slot into Premier League football immediately. A daunting opening few matches of the season await and seeing Mohamed Elneny line up to host Chelsea on matchday two won’t instill a great deal of belief into the home crowd.

If said player can be obtained more easily with the money hypothetically saved on Odegaard (if Maddison isn’t bought) then it strengthens the case for the Norwegian. You’re not getting £30m less of a player. Not even close.