Martin Odegaard’s proposed move to Arsenal is nearing completion, with loan fees and salaries agreed to take the Real Madrid midfielder to the Emirates.
Odegaard requested a temporary departure from Los Blancos earlier in January, failing to penetrate Zinedine Zidane’s starting XI following a successful loan to Real Sociedad last season.
The Gunners’ interest in the Norway international was known before it became clear that he wanted to go on loan again and a number of outlets have now reported that the deal is getting closer and closer to its completion.
The Times claims a £ 1.8million loan for the remainder of the season has been agreed, with Arsenal also paying Odegaard’s weekly salary of £ 38,000, bringing the cost of the deal to 2.5million of pounds sterling. The move should be finished within a week – maybe even Monday at the earliest.
AS adds that he will fly to London on Sunday, while Fabrizio Romano has stuck his patented “here we go” mark in motion with a Tweeter.
There is no option to make the signing permanent, with The Times adding that Los Blancos want Odegaard to be available for the next manager if Zidane leaves his position at the Bernabeu by the end of the season.
A phone call from Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly convinced Odegaard to move to the Premier League temporarily rather than return to La Real, where he excelled during the 2019/20 tenure. The 22-year-old contributed four goals and six assists for the San Sebastian side and has previously spent time on loan in the Netherlands.
Odegaard’s arrival will add more creativity to an Arsenal midfielder who has struggled to find inspiration in points this season. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe were brilliant sparks, but recent performances by Nicolas Pepe and Willian have made Arsenal fans tear their hair apart.
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