Alan Smith has identified Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard as the player most likely to be sold this summer as Mikel Arteta pursues Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers. The Arsenal legend believes a move for the England international could depend on offloading the Norwegian playmaker.
Arsenal confident in £100m+ Rogers chase
Arteta has made Rogers one of his top transfer targets as he looks to strengthen his title-winning squad. The 23-year-old has become one of the Premier League's best midfielders over the past two seasons, helping Villa qualify for the Champions League and winning the Europa League last term. His form earned him a spot in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad, and he has already appeared as a substitute in England's first two group games.
Despite interest from Chelsea and Manchester United, Arsenal are believed to be confident of winning the race for Rogers, whose transfer could exceed £100 million.
Smith: Odegaard sale could fund move
Speaking to BestBettingSites, Smith said: 'I suppose, you know, they’d want to get really good money for Martin Odegaard as well. You can’t bring Rogers in without somebody going out because Eberechi Eze is in there as well, and he likes to play in a similar position.'
Odegaard has been a mainstay since joining from Real Madrid in 2021 but struggled with form and fitness last season, scoring just one goal. Reports earlier this week indicated Arsenal would be open to selling the captain if a suitable offer arrives.
Smith added: 'Every player available seems to get quoted for £100m or somewhere close to it. It’s all part of the negotiation, I suppose, for the selling club. But he’s a youngish player, an England international and a player who is very good and proven at Premier League level. So Aston Villa will start high in terms of a fee – clubs will certainly have to pay a good few quid for him.'
Merson backs potential Odegaard exit
Fellow Arsenal legend Paul Merson also cast doubt on Odegaard's future, telling The Sports Agents: 'It’s madness for me to be saying this, but they probably will be thinking about that [selling Martin Odegaard]. But for me, I still think there’ll be teams queuing round the block for him… When you play in the position that Odegaard plays in, you’re screaming out for pace up front. You have to have pace.'
Rogers could help England win World Cup
Rogers could yet play a role in England's World Cup campaign, with the Three Lions set for the knockout stages ahead of their final group game against Panama. Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins praised his teammate: 'Morgan can go to the very top. You’ve seen what he can do in a short space of time in 18 months, how he’s developed and started to perform at the top, top level which has got him all the recognition he deserves. I think he’s got his head on his shoulders at the end of the day, he’s an intelligent guy who is hardworking and confident in his own ability and I think he can go to the very top.'
Arsenal also eyeing striker, open to other sales
In addition to Rogers, Arsenal are in the market for a new striker, though Atletico Madrid are standing firm over Julian Alvarez. Odegaard is not the only player linked with a summer exit; the Gunners are reportedly open to offers for Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Ben White.
