Real Madrid playmaker Martin Odegaard is reportedly keen on securing a return to Arsenal after spending time on loan at the Emirates last season.
According to a report from Cadena SER, further corroborated by Real Madridista magazine, Arsenal may have received a huge boost in their pursuit of Martin Odegaard as the Real Madrid midfielder is hoping to return to the north London outfit this summer.
Signed back in 2015 as a teenage prodigy, Odegaard has found it tough to nail down a spot for himself in the starting XI at Real Madrid so far. The 22-year-old had been out on a series of loan spells with Heerenveen, Vitesse Arnhem and Real Sociedad before getting a shot in the Spanish capital club last season under Zinedine Zidane.
However, Odegaard was not given a regular run in the side by the Frenchman, prompting him to secure another loan exit, as he signed for Arsenal in the January transfer window. Having moved to London, the Norwegian playmaker settled in quite quickly under Mikel Arteta and made a solid impression in a short time, bagging two goals and two assists in 20 matches before his temporary stay expired.
Back at Real Madrid, Odegaard has been getting minutes in the pre-season under new manager Carlo Ancelotti. And with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos not getting any younger, there remains a possibility that the 22-year-old could be in line for more prominent involvement at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, that has seemingly not convinced Odegaard, who still remains open to the prospect of an exit, as per the aforementioned report. Furthermore, it is also claimed that the former Stromsgodset has his heart set on a return to Arsenal, which will come as music to the ears of the Gunners’ supporters.
While Arsenal have been active in the transfer market so far, Arteta & co. are yet to secure a new playmaker who can add that creative element to the side, along with Emile Smith Rowe, who recently penned a contract extension. The Gunners have been intent on re-signing Odegaard but were discouraged by his valuation, while James Maddison has also emerged as a target.
With the 22-year-old also seeking a return to the Emirates, it now remains to be seen if the north London giants launch an offer to secure his services. It will be interesting to see whether Real Madrid would entertain the possibility of offloading their services prized asset on a permanent transfer.