Real Madrid have reportedly reached an agreement with Arsenal over the transfer of 22-year-old Norwegian playmaker Martin Odegaard.
According to reputed Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal are on the verge of signing Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid. The 22-year-old Norwegian playmaker has already agreed on personal terms over a five-year contract with the Gunners, who will play the Spanish giants just under €40 million
Martin Odegaard also spent the second half of last season at Arsenal after struggling to find a breakthrough in the Real Madrid first-team setup under then manager Zinedine Zidane. Things have hardly improved since Carlo Ancelotti took over, with the youngster being deemed to be surplus to requirements.
So, over six years after he first joined Real Madrid as a prodigious 16-year-old, Odegaard is set to bring an end to a rather disappointing stint with the Merengues, wherein he could only manage 11 appearances for the first-team. Nevertheless, the Norwegian playmaker is now set to embark on a new challenge in his career, albeit at a familiar destination, with Arsenal set to sign him.
Arsenal have been intent on signing Odegaard permanently ever since his loan deal expired. However, it initially seemed as if the 22-year-old would not be returning to the Emirates as he was determined to make his mark at Real Madrid. That, as we know now, never really materialised, which gave Arsenal all the impetus they needed to push for a move.
Martin Ødegaard to Arsenal, here we go and deal confirmed! Permanent move – bit less than €40m to Real Madrid. Personal terms already agreed on five years contract. ?? #AFC
Edu and Arteta wanted Ødegaard as only priority since June, strategy was correct… and now, done deal. pic.twitter.com/2LCaiEiKD0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2021
Push they did, and quickly so, with talks reaching an advanced stage earlier this week. The eagerness to sign someone like Odegaard is understandable as well, considering Arsenal’s horrific lack of creativity was once again exposed this past week in their Premier League season opener at Brentford.
While Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka have always impressed, Mikel Arteta desperately needs another player to take some of the burden off of the young duo, making Odegaard a viable target. And now, a deal has been agreed between Arsenal and Real Madrid, with a consensus being reached over a fee just under €40 million.
Personal terms had never been an issue for Arsenal, who agreed on a five-year contract with the Real Madrid playmaker. The announcement is likely to come imminently, with Odegaard set to join Arsenal on a permanent deal, possibly even being available for their game against Chelsea this Sunday.
