Arsenal are set to have a busy transfer window in terms of what they will do in their midfield. Players are heading in and out the door and Mikel Arteta will be desperate to build a midfield representative of his style.Â
Martin Odegaard appears to be Arsenal’s number one transfer target for that attacking midfield role, a report in VG from Norway says Arsenal want to sign him but Real Madrid don’t want to let him go. They hint that the player is concerned about his playing time in Spain. If Odegaard pushes for a move, it may be Arsenal’s best chance of securing the transfer. He knows he is trusted by Arteta and would get plenty of playing time if he came to The Emirates.Â
According to the same report in VG, Arsenal are amongst three Premier League clubs interested in signing Sander Berge. Berge, now relegated with Sheffield United, has a £35million release clause due to relegation. VG say that clause doesn’t factor in the pandemic’s effect on clubs finances. They say Berge is likely to join a top half Premier League club, with Everton and Aston Villa also attributed with interest. Â
So how much would they cost? Reports don’t seem to be mentioning fees at the moment, so we took a look at trusty transfermarkt, who value Berge at £16m and Odegaard at £36m. The duo for £52million would seem like good business to me. Arsenal would still need another top level central midfielder, if Granit Xhaka were to be sold, but Berge and Odegaard would help add quality both on and off the pitch at the club.Â
We’ve covered reports last month that suggested Arsenal had a £17million bid for Berge rejected. This report indicated that the club may accept something in the region of £25million.
Whether Madrid and Sheffield United would actual sell for those values is another question, but for me, anything south of £60million for both players would represent good business and investment. They are good friends off the pitch and aged 22 and 23, are worth that level of investment, for me.