We are calling their bluff, or rather forcing them to prove to ESR just how much they actually believe in him and rate him.
They're obviously trying to sign a big money player for the same position he's aspiring to in the team. If it's not Ödegaard then it's Maddison, (Grealish ) , Fekir, or Coutinho.
Now all top teams need competition for places but where does this leave ESR? Doesn't seem like they have him in their immediate plans