Dream for Odegaard: Arsenal chasing "one of the best players in the world"

While the fans and team will have their full attention on the second leg of their Champions League semi-final next week, the Arsenal board will already be planning for what could be a blockbuster summer of transfer business.

Last year, Mikel Arteta and Co shifted a lot of the club’s unwanted players for good money, but they didn’t really strengthen the first team enough to sustain a successful title challenge this season.

It looks like it’s going to be a totally different story this year, with links to top-level attackers like Viktor Gyokeres, Ollie Watkins and Nico Williams coming in from every direction.

However, while the frontline certainly needs addressing, the midfield could be just as important, and it seems like the club agrees; a recent report has touted one of the most exciting midfielders in world football for a move to the Emirates, a player who might just be able to get the best back out of Martin Odegaard.

Arsenal’s midfield targets

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at a couple of the other midfielders that Arsenal are said to be interested in, such as Hugo Larsson.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Reportedly available for around £51m, the Eintracht Frankfurt gem would undoubtedly be an investment for the future, but with respected analyst Ben Mattinson describing him as a “transitional monster” and comparing him to a young Jude Bellingham, he might just be one worth making.

However, the far more likely acquisition would undoubtedly be Martin Zubimendi.

The Spanish international has long been touted for a move to the Gunners, and based on more recent reports, it appears the club themselves are confident of getting their man.

However, perhaps the most exciting link of them all has been to Frenkie de Jong.

According to a recent report from Spain, Arsenal are now one of several Premier League sides interested in the Dutch international.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that Liverpool and Manchester City are also keen on the player.

While no price is mentioned in the story, it is said that Barcelona are being forced to consider selling him as no progress has been made on his renewal.

It would be an incredibly costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given his immense ability, it’s one worth fighting for, especially as he could help revive Odegaard.

Why De Jong would be perfect for Odegaard

So, if Arsenal are able to get ahead of the chasing pack and get their man, why would he be an ideal partner for Odegaard?

There are two key reasons for this; the first is his defensive qualities.

While the Dutchman is now primarily an eight and would likely join as such, he’s got plenty of experience playing as a six – making 132 appearances there – and so, were he to chip in with the defensive work alongside Declan Rice, that might allow the captain to focus all of his energy and focus at the sharp end of the pitch.

The second reason is that, on top of his defensive abilities, the former Ajax star is an incredibly technical and gifted midfielder, with former manager Xavi going as far as describing him as “one of the best players in the world.”

It’s not hard to see where the Spanish legend is coming from either, as the 27-year-old’s underlying numbers are nothing short of spectacular.

For example, FBref places him in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, for goals per shot, pass completion, goal-creating actions from take-ons, progressive carrying distance, carries into the final third, the top 2% for passes completed and goal-creating actions, the top 3% for passes into the final third and more, all per 90.

So, just imagine a vastly experienced international who currently captains Barça, who can influence the game in almost all areas of the pitch playing alongside the North Londoners’ number eight – he’d undoubtedly improve as well.

Ultimately, it would be a complicated and costly transfer to get done, but with how much of a difference De Jong could make to Odegaard’s career and Arsenal overall, Arteta and Co must do what they can to get it done.

Related

Mega Kiwior upgrade: Arsenal initiate talks for “superb” £34m monster

The experienced international could be just what Arsenal need.