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Paul Merson has stated he’d be “disappointed” if Arsenal had not yet submitted a bid to try sign Martin Odegaard on a permanent basis.

Odegaard, who earns £85,000-a-week, joined the Gunners back in January on loan until the end of the season from Real Madrid.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has started to showcase some of is top-class ability in recent games at the Emirates Stadium, which is why the club’s fanbase are desperate for him to join permanently.

According to the Times earlier this week, Odegaard could be willing to stay with the north London club beyond this season.

But Marca also claimed this week that Spanish giants Madrid don’t intend to sell him.

Merson has explained that Arsenal should be doing all they can to land the left-footed playmaker on a full-time basis, as well as suggesting his minutes should be limited if he’s only going to leave in the summer.

“Martin Odegaard looks a really good player and I hope Arsenal have a chance of signing him permanently,” Merson told the Daily Star.

“Because if they don’t have a chance of making his loan permanent next season, why is he playing?

“If they know he doesn’t want to stay, he shouldn’t be playing because he’s taking opportunities away from people like Emile Smith Rowe.

“So I hope Arsenal have done their homework and know what the situation is – I’d be disappointed if they haven’t already made a bid to be honest!”

TBR’s View:

If you consider all the conflicting reports right now surrounding Odegaard, it’s hard to predict where he’ll be playing his football next season.

There is certainly a spot for him in Mikel Arteta’s XI if he joins permanently. The Norwegian has the movement, vision and execution in the final third to become a key player at Arsenal if he stays.

Unfortunately, the creator is someone with massive potential still, and perhaps Madrid are going to realise letting him go could be a mistake further down the line.