Arsenal ‘convinced’ of Martin Odegaard summer transfer

Arsenal are having to do some soul searching after missing out on Emi Buendia’s signature after the Argentine agreed to join Aston Villa, turning attentions back to Martin Odegaard, who Edu is ‘convinced’ he can strike a deal with Real Madrid for.

It’s irrelevant whether Buendia was worth the total £40m outlay or not, missing out on him after he was swayed by a Villa side sitting 11th in the Premier League is not the rip-roaring start to the summer window. Arsenal had tracked him for over a year.

He may flop horribly under Dean Smith (unlikely), but from a PR point of view seeing a player snub Arsenal in favour of a bottom half team casts a shadow over the Gunners’ supposed pulling power. They must now dust themselves down and move on with the hope that other targets aren’t seeing these pursuits play out in failure, resulting in their own interest affected.

Martin Odegaard, for everything that has happened since January, appears to have grown an affection for Arsenal. Always speaking in glowing terms of the club, its players and the manager, even his on-field demeanour gave the impression of someone who had embraced his surroundings.

Arsenal ‘convinced’ of Martin Odegaard summer transfer from Real Madrid after missing out on Emi Buendia

Unfortunately he isn’t a Gooner, nor does it appear Real Madrid are overly keen on extending his time as one.

As per football.london, however, Edu remains ‘convinced’ that a deal can be struck to see Mikel Arteta reunited with the Norwegian, either on a permanent move or with a loan extension.

The latter of those deals is interesting. In many ways, another 12 month loan move would be ideal: Arsenal get the midfielder back for a season, pay a nominal fee and can cross something off the to-do list. If that’s concluded then a hefty chunk of money is saved and can be invested elsewhere.

What is achieved by that, though?

In January, bringing Odegaard in on loan was excellent business. His time with the club was a bit of a mixed bag, but when on-song he was a delight to watch. The deal itself was a coup, bringing in an exciting No. 10 from Real Madrid to add numbers in a department with Emile Smith Rowe as the token flag bearer, for next to nothing. Of course, a playmaker should have arrived six months prior.

It’s therefore understandable that he is wanted back. Arteta may only have two or three months to save his job when the season commences, and he’d rather trusted lieutenants who know the place to steer him in the right direction.

Another loan, however, solves nothing, unless Arsenal actually start to commit.

Continued…

Arsenal Have to Commit to Martin Odegaard or Move on

Similarly with the idea of wanting Ryan Bertrand at left-back on a two-year deal, bringing Odegaard in for 12 more months is simply delaying a problem that will crop up again further down the line.

If Arsenal really want Odegaard then they need to commit to him. Regardless of fan view, if Arsenal truly believe he’s the ideal No. 10 target then pull out all of the stops to get him.

Should that come via a loan then it must include the purchase option, or even obligation, in it. That would suit better than any as the money would be saved for the following summer with the same commitments towards the player.

£50m is way beyond what Odegaard is currently worth and a deal at that price would set a worrying precedent for the remainder of the transfer window: it’d be League Two scouting for full-backs and trialists for central midfield. However, at least it would show intent.

Missing out on Buendia was a case of dallying. Taking the eye off the ball and being too confident that Arsenal had a bigger pull than Villa, who went on the charm offensive and sealed the deal.

If Edu and Arteta want Odegaard then a simple loan doesn’t show it. It’s almost the ideal scenario in many ways but it isn’t sustainable. That would be 18 months of minutes spent on someone who isn’t staying. Dani Ceballos, for example, was 24 months of minutes wasted that impacted the likes of Joe Willock.

If you want him go get him. Properly. Although not at £50m, that’s silly money.