Ian Wright admits he is "so happy and so sad" watching Martin Odegaard running the show for Arsenal.
Odegaard joined the Gunners on loan from Real Madrid in January and has established himself as one of Mikel Arteta's most important players in recent weeks.
The Norwegian playmaker scored vital goals against Olympiacos and Tottenham before helping Arsenal recover from 3-0 down to snatch a point at West Ham on Sunday.
Odegaard's excellent performances have led to clamour for Arsenal to seal a permanent transfer for the 22-year-old this summer.
But Wright cannot see how the Gunners can pull off the move, with Real Madrid sure to demand an eye-watering fee which will leave Arsenal fans needing to "pray".
"Watching Odegaard play for Arsenal, I’m so happy and I’m so sad," the Gunners legend said on Ringer FC’s 'Wrighty’s House' podcast.
He added: "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.
What is the highest bid Arsenal should table to try and sign Odegaard this summer? Have your say in the comments.
"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."
Although signing Odegaard permanently from Real Madrid will prove a challenging task, Wright insists his former club "has to find a way" to secure the deal.
"On the half-turn, his quick thinking, his passes, as soon as he gets it, he already knows what he’s doing," said Wright of Odegaard.
"We have to find a way to sign him. I don’t know how it’s going to happen. He’s the one."
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