Man Utd and Liverpool ruin Arsenal plan: 'Next Odegaard' deal under threat

Robin Bairner

Updated: 19 Mar 2024 11:23 CDT
3 min read

Martin Odegaard, Arsenal, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester United and Liverpool are both out to thwart Arsenal sealing a potential transfer bargain this summer by raiding Real Madrid for a player likely to be forced out by Kylian Mbappe’s arrival.

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The Gunners had already been linked with a move for Brahim Diaz in the summer, with similarities drawn in the case of the Morocco international to the deal that took Martin Odegaard to the Emirates Stadium in 2021.

If Mikel Arteta is to get his man for Arsenal, though, he will need to beat both Man Utd and Liverpool to the 24-year-old.

HITC reports that the two Premier League giants are also following the former Manchester City youngster, who has been on the books of Real Madrid since January 2019.

Indeed, there is now quite the clamour for Diaz over the summer, with Chelsea and Tottenham also following the player.

Exactly how intense the interest of both the Reds and the Old Trafford side is in the attacking midfielder is not clear, with the pair just said to have “shown an interest in Diaz”.

How much is he worth?

Brahim Diaz has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €29.5 million, yet with so many Premier League clubs seeking to sign him over the summer, he could well end up in a bidding war that sees him move for more.

It had been reported previously that Arsenal had already made an offer worth €70m to Real Madrid for a player whose contract expires in 2027.

This figure seems unlikely given Diaz has only made 18 starts for Los Blancos this season and will see his game time fall when Kylian Mbappe arrives at the club on a free transfer in the summer.

Diaz is reportedly eager to remain at the Bernabeu, meanwhile, but this bullish stance could well switch when the reality of Mbappe’s arrival hits.