Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Arsenal facing Martin Odegaard transfer u-turn at Real Madrid

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal reacts to losing control of the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal reacts to losing control of the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 2
Next
Arsenal, Martin Odegaard
Arsenal facing Martin Odegaard summer transfer window u-turn at Real Madrid as La Liga side refuse to sell and Norwegian wants to stay in Spain. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Arsenal, and everyone associated with the club, want to sign Martin Odegaard on a permanent deal from Real Madrid in the summer. There has, however, been a twist in the tale.

Watching the Norwegian hit the deck and proceed to punch the turf for his country in their World Cup qualifier victory over Gibraltar, the outpouring of anguish was a telling sign. The 22-year-old has only played 12 times for the Gunners on loan but he already feels like one of our own.

Suffering a twisted ankle and being forced to come off at half-time, the midfielder’s importance to Arsenal became clear despite him donning a very different shade of red.

Undroppable on current form, he still has the chance to achieve historic success in north London before his temporary switch concludes as Arsenal eye a return to the Champions League by lifting the Europa League title.

Arsenal facing Martin Odegaard transfer u-turn at Real Madrid as La Liga side refuse to sell and Norwegian wants to stay in Spain

If they are to do so then Martin Odegaard will doubtlessly play an integral role. What’s worrying, however, is whether he’ll be around or not to taste the fruits of that labour, or if he’ll be back to give a return to Europe’s elite another crack via the Premier League.

He’s noticeably happy in north London, regularly speaking about how ‘at home’ he’s felt; sentiments echoed by his teammates who have praised his attitude, while Mikel Arteta lavishes him with praise at every opportunity. It’s evident what the club want.

If Arsenal are to prise him from Real Madrid‘s clutches it won’t come cheap. Figures up to £50m have been mooted, so to has another loan deal which would be a risky move on the Spanish club’s part.

However, they may not need to worry about convincing him, as the reports coming out of Spain put a colossal spanner in the works.

Zinedine Zidane is the manager who hasn’t given Odegaard the minutes he’s been seeking, but the future goals of the midfielder have remained unmoved by the Frenchman still keeping his place in the Madrid hotseat.

His mind may have already been made up.

Home/Arsenal News