Arsenal Near Major Martin Odegaard Transfer Coup

Arsenal are set to win the race to sign Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid this January transfer window, according to multiple reports coming out of Spain.

News of the Norwegian’s displeasure in Spain emerged after he was exempt from the Copa del Rey squad to face lowly Alcoyano, with the story gathering pace from there before Zinedine Zidane gave the green light to let the 22-year-old leave.

Edu Gasper had instigated talks prior to the revelation but was pushed back by Los Blancos who had no intention of letting the highly-rated midfielder go. Upon learning of Martin Odegaard‘s wishes, a u-turn was made prompting a second official approach from the Gunners.

Locked in a transfer tussle with Real Sociedad, multiple reports placed the Basque outfit ahead of Arsenal in the race due to the player’s desire to return to the site of his season-long loan spell last term.

Excelling under Imanol Alguacil, all signs pointed towards a Txuri-urdinak reunion, but the noises coming out of Spain now place Arsenal firmly in the driving seat, all-but confirming his arrival in north London.

As per Diario Vasco, Odegaard ‘will play’ the second half the season on loan at Arsenal. It’s stated that the Gunners provided the strongest bid and Madrid will accept.

That is followed up by AS, who state that Odegaard has chosen Arsenal over other interested parties, a move that is ‘more in line with the player’s taste’. On top of that, TheAFCBell, who peddled the Thomas Partey transfer from the get-go, state sources have confirmed that an agreement in principle had been made between all the parties and the deal will be announced as soon as possible.

Reliable sources in Norway also weigh in, with TV2 stating that Odegaard has made his decision, and that decision is Arsenal – multiple sources confirm it.

Picked up by the English media, Charles Watts of Goal adds that Arsenal are pushing ahead and the ‘growing belief’ is that the midfielder will choose north London, although there is still ‘work to be done’. It is, however, very positive.