Arsenal are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid on a six-month loan agreement, with no option to sign him permanently.
According to a report by football.london, Arsenal are on the verge of signing Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid. The Gunners are set to reach an agreement with Los Blancos to land the 22-year-old attacking midfielder on a six-month loan deal, which will not contain an option to sign him on a permanent basis.
Martin Odegaard arrived at Real Madrid from Stromsgodset in the January transfer window of 2015 shortly after his 16th birthday. At the time, there was a lot of hype surrounding the Norwegian youngster and understandably so, but he quickly endured a leveller at the club and was also hauled out on three different loan spells by the Merengues.
However, it is during the 2019/20 season – spent at Real Sociedad – that the player’s stock finally started to rise, as he established himself as one of the best creative midfielders on show in La Liga. The return to Real Madrid, though, has not been a fruitful one as after a strong start to 2020/21, he has gone down the pecking order, starting just 5 games so far. His situation has piqued the interest of Arsenal.
The interest from Arsenal has only emerged recently, with the Gunners reportedly eyeing Odegaard as a replacement for Mesut Ozil. The decision makes a great deal of sense as well, considering the Gunners have struggled a great deal on the creative so far this season, even after the advent of Emile Smith Rowe.
While Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka have been a breath of fresh air at the Emirates, Arsenal’s lack of creativity remains quite stark to say the least. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that the north Londoners have been linked with a number of creative midfielders in the past month or so, with the pursuit of Odegaard gathering steam this week.
Martin Ødegaard has decided to join Arsenal over Real Sociedad ⚪️?
The deal is expected to be completed in the coming hours. #AFC and Real Madrid are in contact to reach the agreement – Real want a ‘simple’ loan until June.
Arteta spoke directly with the player – key factor. https://t.co/id7qQyNPpL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 22, 2021
It now looks like Arsenal are set to complete a busy week, which has seen Mat Ryan join the club on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion, by securing the services of the 22-year-old from Real Madrid. The report claims that the Gunners will sign Odegaard on a six-month loan deal, but will not reserve an option to buy him, as is the case in the deal that Dani Ceballos is on at the Emirates.
It has also been added that Ceballos, who recently urged Odegaard to consider leaving Real Madrid, helped convince the young Norwegian to pick Arsenal over Real Sociedad, who had been keen on signing him on loan for a second time this month. In addition, technical director Edu had spoken with Odegaard’s father Hans and agent Bjorn Tore Kvarme to get the deal closer to completion.
The reliable Fabrizio Romano has also weighed in on the transfer situation, claiming that Odegaard has indeed chosen Arsenal over Real Sociedad, adding that the deal will be completed in the coming hours. What now remains to be seen if Arsenal can indeed reach an agreement with Real Madrid over the 22-year-old’s capture soon.