Arsenal are among the top European clubs fighting to sign Real Madrid starlet Martin Odegaard this summer, Spanish news outlet Eldesmarque have claimed.

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The report, cited by SportWitness, says Real Madrid have ‘no intention of negotiating’ Odegaard’s departure and only a fee of around £71m would make them consider cashing in on him. His current market value is £18m, according to Transfermarkt.

Madrid shocked Europe when they bought the Norwegian for £2.5m in 2015, making him the youngest ever player to feature for the club at 16 years old.

Since then, he’s drifted under the radar until this season where he’s made seven appearances for Real Sociedad, netting two goals and assisting another two (via WhoScored).

Eldesmarque believe that’s been enough for Pep Guardiola and Unai Emery to want to bring him to the Premier League this summer.

The report says Emery sees him as a replacement for Mesut Ozil, although the Gunners may have to fight off Manchester City in the process.

It’s unclear whether the board would be willing to pay the £71m required. Ozil is earning £350,000-per-week so if they can get rid of him, that would free up some cash, but bringing in Odegaard wouldn’t introduce the experience Arsenal are lacking at the moment.

It’s clear they can be deadly going forward, but it seems money would be better spent on experienced defenders rather than a forward-thinking youngster when looking at their goals scored tally compared to goals conceded in the Premier League.

Do you think Martin Odegaard would be worth £71m? Have your say by commenting below!