According to the Times, the Arsenal hierarchy believe that Martin Odegaard is willing to commit his future to the Gunners beyond his current loan spell. Since joining the club from Real Madrid in January, the Norwegian has settled in quickly and become a highly influential player for Mikel Arteta.
Odegaard Arsenal Stay Could Become Permanent
Arteta Keen on Odegaard
The 22-year old has quickly made himself at home in North London. He has scored two goals in eight starts for Arsenal so far and has very much established himself as a mainstay in the side. Fans will have loved him after his goal against rivals Tottenham, but he has also helped keep the Gunner’s European aspirations alive – having scored the opening goal in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
Odegaard also inspired the Gunner’s dramatic comeback this weekend at the London Stadium. After an embarrassing first half-hour, Arsenal found themselves 3-0 down to West Ham. The Real Madrid loanee grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and led his team back into the game.
Conducting the press, making things happen – he looked as if this was his team, somewhere he had been for years. When Arsenal secured his services in January, many were underwhelmed given his age, and the length of the deal – largely due to ideas that he would struggle to adjust to the Premier League in such a short period of time.
Yet, he’s shown that he is physically up for it, and his performances are speaking for themselves. All three of Arsenal’s goals on Sunday came through him, with him claiming a pre-assist on three occasions.
He looks like a real character on the pitch and is an extremely creative and intelligent footballer. Arsenal are lacking in his area of the pitch. Other than Emile Smith Rowe, there are few in this current Arsenal squad that can do the job Odegaard does.
Also, proven in their performances in the Europa League and in the North London derby, there is a way the two of them can play together. Odegaard enables them to rotate positionally.
How Realistic is a Summer Transfer?
Reports in Spain suggest that the financially struggling Madrid giants would accept a sum of around £50 Million in the summer. They are yet to decide what they want to do with Odegaard. Of course, he is an extremely exciting talent but has struggled to get into Zidane’s plans so far.
Another option, of course, could be to loan him out again, something Arsenal would be willing to do, given they have done the same for another Madrid player in Dani Ceballos. A permanent deal may be too expensive for the Gunners this summer, especially if they were to miss out on European football entirely. As a result, another loan deal may be a valid option.
Real Madrid have summer plans of their own. Potential signings of the European elite will require funds in a pandemic affected transfer window. Raising money for the likes of Haaland and Mbappe will require capital. Odegaard may be someone they are willing to cash in on to attain these targets, something Arsenal will look to benefit from.
Odegaard’s performances show someone who is willing to give his all wherever he is. He looks as if he is enjoying himself at Arsenal and will hope to end the season on a high, with Arsenal still hopeful of silverware in the Europa League. These performances and the need and want for stability in his career may play a decisive role in his future at Arsenal. Fans will be desperate to see him stay.
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