Of course, it was an empty Martin Ødegaard after the loss to PSG in the Champions League final, the captain himself had 66 minutes on the pitch. Still, when you have led the Arsenal squad in recent seasons towards a Premier League trophy – and succeeded this season, then you have a key role in Mikel Arteta. It is therefore strange that several media outlets claim that Arsenal must sell their captain.
According to ESPN’s respected journalists Mark Ogden and Gabriele Marcotti, there are several factors that are pushing Ødegaard towards the exit door at the Emirates: Ødeggard has had two injury-plagued seasons where he has not delivered at his best, his contract expires in the summer of 2028 this summer it is possible to fetch the largest possible sale price. The alternative is to extend, but then Ødegaards is in his 30s. Arsenal spent over three billion kroner last summer, and any star signings could be dependent on sales, it is argued.
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Completely foolish to sell Martin Ødegaard this summer
Plenty of arguments, but Manchester City’s former financial adviser, Stefan Borson, believes there is a lack of realistic options for the Norwegian international, if Arsenal expect to cash in the big money on the player they paid around €40 million for in 2021.
“The players that are on that list, they’re going to find it very difficult to sell them for a significant profit,” Borson tells Football-Insider.
“Not because they’re not good players, just because of the number of buyers for these types of players, Martin Ødegaard, who you’re going to want, let’s say, £80 million for. Who’s going to pay for it?” Borson continues.
-How many teams in the world these days have that money? None in Italy, zero. Bayern Munich can only buy one or two players a year. But if they are not interested, the whole of Germany is gone. PSG have moved what they’re trying to do now away from those types of players, so they’re probably out. Then you have Real Madrid, and I highly doubt that they will buy Ødegaard back,” Borron continues.
“Barcelona has no money, so there you have a universe of potential buyers, because in my opinion he is not going to go to another Premier League team. It’s perfectly fine to say: ‘Well, we’re going to sell these players for a lot of money’, but it’s just not very easy to do,” concludes the former City financial advisor.
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This was the money, then it is the role Ødegaard has at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta is crystal clear when he describes the Norwegian’s crucial role for Arsenal on the training ground, in the dressing room and in the match arena. It is the continuity that has given Arsenal the foundation to win the Premier League and go all the way to the Champions League final, which is decided on penalties. Martin Ødegaard is an important part of this continuity since 2021. Clubs such as Manchester City and Liverpool have shown that there is a tribe of players and managers who bring success more than single seasons. We therefore believe it will be completely foolish to sell Ødegaard this summer.
