Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard on loan, reports from England have indicated. The 22-year-old Norwegian international will join the Gunners in the coming days until the end of the season.
The player had been surplus to requirement under Zinedine Zidane this season and was keen to leave the Santiago Bernabeu in order to secure first-team football elsewhere. Last week, it was reported in the Spanish media that the likes of Real Sociedad and Leicester City were interested in landing the signature of the midfield star.
Sociedad, in particular, were said to be front-runners in the race for a loan deal for Odegaard, having had the midfielder on their roster last season. However, the Basque club eventually conceded defeat in their pursuit after being told by the player's agent that he favored a move to Arsenal.
Following Arsenal's defeat to Southampton in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday, manager Mikel Arteta hinted at the imminent arrival of the Norwegian international. On Sunday, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed that a deal has been agreed for the 22-year-old playmaker to complete his loan move to the Gunners.
Martin Ødegaard to Arsenal, here we go! The agreement has been reached after last contacts today between #AFC and Real Madrid.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 24, 2021
Loan until the end of the season, salary paid by Arsenal. Arteta's call key to convince the player. Medicals pending - then deal will be announced.
The deal is a straightforward one with no obligation to buy clause inserted in it. Martin Odegaard joins Dani Ceballos as two players from Real Madrid currently on loan at the London club.