Arsenal have agreed to sign a loan from Real Madrid to Martin Odegaard. Norway’s midfielder chose to leave Bernabeu in search of first-team football.
It was rumored that Real Sociedad, Leicester, and other European clubs were interested in 22-year-old football. Odegaard made it clear that he intends to leave Real Madrid this month, having played just nine times in all the Spanish club competitions this season.
After his season-long loan stint last year, Real Sociedad were keen on re-signing Odegaard. But it is thought that the preference of Real Madrid was to send him to a club outside La Liga. Last season, Odegaard was involved in seven goals and nine assists over 36 appearances on loan at the La Liga side.
It prompted Real Madrid to cut his two-year loan short and make him part of their first-team squad. Odegaard was also interested in a number of Premier League clubs, including Leicester, but the Foxes decided not to pursue the Norwegian international after preliminary talks.
Two days after the departure of attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil, who has joined Fenerbahce from Arsenal on a free transfer, Odegaard’s completed medical arrives.
Odegaard would become the second signing of the January window. Arsenal acquired the services of Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan until the end of the season on a loan contract. If Arsenal completes the Odegaard deal by noon on Friday then on Saturday he will be available for their trip to Manchester United in the Premier League.
