ARSENAL’S £30million splurge on Martin Odegaard looks to be one of the best bargains in recent Premier League history.

The 24-year-old playmaker was instrumental in the Gunners’ push for a top-four finish last season and has been a key cog in their well-oiled machine this campaign.

Martin Odegaard has been one of Arsenal’s star men this season

The midfielder has scored four goals so far this season

Playmaker Odegaard was once called the ‘Norwegian Messi’

Odegaard’s fine form this season – in which he scored eight goals and provided five assists – has helped Arsenal top the Premier League table.

And the playmaker, once dubbed the ‘Norwegian Messi’, is not short of admirers – with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believed to have been desperate to sign him when he managed Bayern Munich.

REAL DEAL

In 2015, it was Real Madrid who had clinched a deal for the-then sought-after 16-year-old for a fee of around £2.3million.

Odegaard, left, was a teen prodigy

At 15, Odegaard was playing top-flight football in Norway

PEP MISSED OUT

He alleged that the club’s president Florentino Perez only signed Odegaard as a PR exercise.

In 2015, Odegaard signed for Real Madrid for £2.3m

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was accused of signing Odegaard as a PR exercise

Odegaard replaces Cristiano Ronaldo in a 2015 La Liga game

DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE?

After making his Real Madrid debut at 16, Odegaard found it hard to break into the first team.

In 2017, he was sent on loan to Heerenveen – where he initially struggled to find his feet.

Loan spells with Heerenveen and Vitesse Arnhem (pictured) gave Odegaard first team football experience

For the 2019-20 season Odegaard returned to Spain with Real Sociedad

Odegaard returned to Spain for the 2019-20 season with Real Sociedad, his third loan in as many seasons.

And he starred in San Sebastian, scoring four times in 31 games – becoming a fans’ favourite with his brilliant passing – chipping in with six assists as well.

His form encouraged Zidane to keep Odegaard around, but with just nine appearances for the club (mostly from the bench) he grew frustrated by lack of first-team opportunities.

RATED BY RONALDO AND HAALAND

“He’s a great player, I think he’s a young boy, he can still grow.

“He has a good future ahead. We must give him time to learn, to take his best decisions. But I see a lot of potential in the player, he has got a good left foot.”

Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken highly about Odegaard’s talents

Norway team mate Erling Haaland loves playing with Odegaard

Odegaard fell out of favour with Real Madrid boss Zinedine ZidaneCredit: Getty Images – Getty

“Yes, I can simply split it (the hat-trick) in two (and share with Odegaard). It’s nice to play with Odegaard,” he told the Mail.

“It will only get better in the years to come. We are still young.”

Arsenal will be hoping Odegaard continues to blossom in North London, and help them back into the Champions League.