Arsenal legend Ian Wright has made it clear that his former club should sign Martin Odegaard permanently this summer.
"Watching Odegaard play for Arsenal, I’m so happy and I’m so sad," he said on Ringer FC’s 'Wrighty’s House' podcast. "You’re thinking that’s the quality and composure Arsenal need.
"Arteta must be on the sideline thinking, ‘oh my God, this is what I need, this is the guy’.
"His contract runs out in 2023 with Madrid, we’re going through a spell where there’s not a lot of money about, Madrid need money, if Zidane stays there can you see him putting Odegaard in his team?
"You’re thinking to yourself if he carries on playing like he is, because we’re looking at [Luka] Modric and [Toni] Kroos and they’re going to have to get replaced by someone at some stage now.
"Whether that’s Odegaard or they might sell Odegaard to finance getting somebody else.
"When you look at him, this is serious business with Odegaard, this is a player we need, and I don’t know how they’re going to do that.
"For me, I think £45million to £50million, even though we’re talking about someone who’s been on loan to Holland, Spain and now here, he’s played a handful of games but he looks so impressive.
"You have to pray, the Arsenal fanbase have to put it out into the ether, the energy and the good vibes, to make it happen because he is needed."
Odegaard isn't the only midfielder being linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
Reports in Spain claim that the Gunners have been watching Real Betis ace Guido Rodriguez and are prepared to make a move for the 26-year-old when the window opens in the summer.
Despite claims of a £68million release clause, according to Mundo Deportivo, Betis will be prepared to sell the Argentina international if the right offer comes in.
With that said, what would be Arsenal's best line-up under Mikel Arteta if Edu - in a dream scenario - was able to seal a deal for the central midfielder and Odegaard?
Taking all the transfer rumours into consideration, it's likely that Odegaard and Rodriguez wouldn't be the only new faces arriving at the club before the 2021/22 season starts.
The Argentine could be the perfect partner for Thomas Partey in central midfield and allows Arteta to stick with the 4-2-3-1 system that has worked wonders since Christmas.
They would provide protection to a back four that includes William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kieran Tierney, and a new right-back in Achraf Hakimi who has been tipped to replace Hector Bellerin in the summer.
Odegaard has already flourished in the number 10 role behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka on the flanks, so there is already a familiarity amongst the front four.
The luxury of this dream line-up is the options Arteta would have in reserve.
Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe and have proven themselves to be capable of making an impact off the bench, so that gives Arsenal extra squad depth.
Arsenal's XI: Leno; Hakimi, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Rodriguez; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang
