Arsenal negotiations with Real Madrid for Martin Odegaard ‘very advanced’, deal could be ‘imminent’

Odegaard’s Arsenal stint

Martin Odegaard would, of course, join Arsenal in the winter window after spending much of the first half of 2020/21 in a bit-part role with Real Madrid.

During his stint at the Emirates, though, Odegaard had become an essential part of Mikel Arteta’s set-up.

The Norwegian’s clear quality shone through and he provided some much-needed creativity in Arsenal’s final third, including providing two assists in his last two league outings.

Odegaard’s exploits also saw him earn his first first-ever Arsenal Player of the Month award in April:

🏆 You voted this man as your Player of the Month for March!

Congratulations, Martin 🇳🇴

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 1, 2021

Odegaard to Arsenal latest

As a result, some Arsenal fans were no doubt keen to see Odegaard return to Arsenal for the 2021/22 campaign.

Speaking at the end of last season, Mikel Arteta appeared to hint Arsenal wanted to re-sign the midfielder:

“Well, we have a very clear and strong opinion on what we would like to do, but he’s not our player. We will have to discuss in the next few weeks what and respect first of all because he’s a Real Madrid player and have those communications.”

Those hopes did appear to be dashed back in June, when it was expected that Odegaard would stay in Madrid for the 2021/22 campaign.

However, reports earlier this month suggested that Odegaard is likely to be sold this summer.

In further hints the 22-year-old’s future lies away from Real, as per Chris Wheatley, the midfielder has yet to be given a squad number this season and is not registered to play in La Liga.

It is added that the Norwegian wants a return to Arsenal:

Martin Ødegaard wasn’t pictured in Real Madrid training today.

🇳🇴 The Norwegian hasn’t been given a squad number for this season and isn’t registered to play in La Liga.

Ødegaard wants a return to #AFC as talks continue.https://t.co/LeoA8QI0VI

— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) August 17, 2021

Elsewhere, a report from AS journalist Jorge Picon has provided a fresh update on the situation, and it looks to be good news for Arsenal.

Picon reports that Real’s negotiations with Arsenal to sell Odegaard are at a very advanced stage and the deal could be imminent:

💣 Las negociaciones entre el Madrid y el Arsenal por Odegaard están muy avanzadas. Hoy ni siquiera ha entrenado con sus compañeros. El acuerdo podría ser oficial en las próximas horas.

📰 @diarioas https://t.co/fQeaURZ9Oj

— Picón (@JorgeCPicon) August 17, 2021

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