Report: Real Madrid set Arsenal-linked Odegaard's asking price at €45M

Arsenal could set up an Emirates return for Martin Odegaard this summer after Real Madrid set a €45-million asking price for the midfielder, according to ESPN's James Olley.

The Gunners are now encouraged to make an offer for the 22-year-old after he was valued at over €60 million earlier this summer. Arsenal reportedly already explored moves for Lyon's Houssem Aouar and Leicester City's James Maddison, believing Real Madrid wouldn't sanction Odegaard's sale for a reasonable price.

Odegaard spent the second half of the 2020-21 season on loan at Arsenal. He notched a goal and two assists over 14 Premier League appearances, five of which were off the bench.

The Norwegian playmaker was left out of Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid squad to face Alaves on Saturday, The Guardian's Nick Ames reports.

Joe Willock's exit may have cleared a space for Odegaard in the Arsenal squad. The academy graduate joined Newcastle United on a permanent deal worth more than £20 million on Friday.