Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes the Gunners will be 'praying' they can land loan star Martin Odegaard on a permanent transfer.
Odegaard has been excellent for Arsenal since joining on loan from Real Madrid in January and fans are desperate to land him on a permanent deal this summer.
The issue is that Real Madrid are reluctant to sell, viewing the Norwegian midfielder as a 'fundamental piece' to their future, so much so that they put a £301million release clause in his contract.
But with Real Madrid having financial issues in the midst of the financial crisis caused by coronavirus, and with the La Liga giants still wanting to make a big signing this summer, Gunners legend Wright believes there could still be an opportunity.
"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."
Wright added: "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."
