In my opinion he's always been available, he's a squad player there and they need money, it's an easy deal to do. If he was Arsenal's number 1 target, they'd have mare a move by name. I think everything suggests they want Maddison first.
Okay, well I kinda agree with that. We still need GK and I would want a midfielder or a striker and a right-back.I dont disagree regarding that point, but with what @Tir Na Nog said we would be marginally better.
I like Ødegaard, I'd be very happy with him, the problem I have is they will insist on a realistic buy back option. They do it on every young player, if he is costing 35-40m it will be probably be something like 55 or 60m.
So if he is any good it's just a glorified loan, unless you can either set it higher than they normally would (like £100m) or pay a bit more to exclude one altogether I don't think it is going to be worth it.
He did fit in well though and was really looking good when he got injured, that was a shame, he also fits in that age bracket with our other good younger players (Saka, Smith-Rowe, White, Tierney, Gabriel, Martinelli etc) we would have a very exciting group there, for Arteta to stifle.
Imagine this is the only signing we do between now an the end of the window, we'll have essentially not improved our XI at all from the end of last season. Kinda unforgivable when you think about it.
If you put them side by side at the same price it's a tough call for me, maybe Maddison just shades it because of his goals.I'd much rather Ødegaard for 40 million than Maddison (with his possible hip problems) for 70 million. Then get a RB for the 30 million bonus left, or replace Elneny.
He surely has the kind of creativity we need and lack.If you put them side by side at the same price it's a tough call for me, maybe Maddison just shades it because of his goals.
Ødegaard is likely to be £25m cheaper though and if (big if) we reinvest that into another player then I think overall that's the better option. I like what Ødegaard brings as well - technically excellent, great passing range and control, tenacious presser as well and a leader. Think he has the potential to play deeper as he gets older but he's also a natural number ten. He absolutely has to improve his goal and assist numbers though to take it up a level.
If you put them side by side at the same price it's a tough call for me, maybe Maddison just shades it because of his goals.
Ødegaard is likely to be £25m cheaper though and if (big if) we reinvest that into another player then I think overall that's the better option. I like what Ødegaard brings as well - technically excellent, great passing range and control, tenacious presser as well and a leader. Think he has the potential to play deeper as he gets older but he's also a natural number ten. He absolutely has to improve his goal and assist numbers though to take it up a level.
But we have a very promising player on a permanent basis instead of loan. Kinda big difference, if you think about it.Imagine this is the only signing we do between now an the end of the window, we'll have essentially not improved our XI at all from the end of last season. Kinda unforgivable when you think about it.
Who do you want?8th position secured. Hallelujah. All praise be to god.
8th position secured. Hallelujah. All praise be to god.
Also if he was truly first choice this should've been done ages ago so he'd have been ready for the start of the season.