Martin Odegaard could hold the key to one of Arsenal's transfer missions this summer.
As reported by football.london, Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge is on the Gunners' wishlist as manager Mikel Arteta looks to bring in the perfect partner for Thomas Partey ahead of next season.
And the good news for Arsenal is that Berge is keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium.
However, any chance of signing the midfielder ahead of other reported suitors including Everton, Liverpool and Aston Villa could depend on whether or not talks with Real Madrid ensuring Martin Odegaard returns to north London for another spell are successful.
Berge and Odegaard are teammates at international level with Norway and are close friends off the pitch.
football.london understands that Odegaard has told those close to him that he would like to stay with the Gunners as he has been impressed by Arteta's project and feels highly valued as part of the Spaniard's squad.
However, it is unclear if Arsenal will be able to afford him or if Los Blancos are willing to sell.
But Berge - and Everton's Josh King - has already played a role in Odegaard even making the move to the capital in the first place as he gave the attacking midfielder a glowing verdict of Premier League football.
"Yeah, I spoke to both of them," he told the Premier League during an interview on its YouTube channel. "They had only good things to say about the league and everything here from the football.
"They told me a lot of good things.
"The Premier League is really big in Norway, so I grew up watching it every week and everyone in Norway follows the league so close.
"It’s a dream to be able to play here."
Those comments would suggest that Berge would be keen to stay in England should he leave Sheffield United in the summer.
With that said, the Gunners appear to be pressing ahead with plans to sign Berge regardless of what happens with Odegaard's future as reports claim an 'offer' has been lodged.
That is according to French outlet Jeunes Footeux via Sport Witness, who were one of the first to report Arsenal's interest in the midfielder.
Though, they are going to have to do better than their first bid.
It has been reported that Arsenal made a bid worth around £17.2million for Berge, but Sheffield United are said to want a minimum of £25.8million plus a 10-20% sell-on fee.
