Arsenal may have edge over Real Socieded in Martin Odegaard talks with Real Madrid

Arsenal: Arteta explains Ozil exit

Arsenal are one of the clubs in the race to sign Real Madrid star Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian has started just three times this season and is understood to have a strained relationship with manager Zinedine Zidane.

It is believed that Los Blancos will allow Odegaard to leave this month, with a loan deal the most likely.

Real Sociedad, where the 22-year-old spent on loan last season, have already submitted an offer and are said to be leading the race.

The player himself would prefer a move back to Sociedad, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague

“He wants to go to Real Sociedad and they want him,” said Balague. “They’re waiting on Real Madrid’s decision.”

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The Gunners have reportedly made two enquiries for Odegaard, with the playmaker mulling over a potential Premier League move.

“Arsenal are not the only Premier League club who have made enquiries about him but he would like to go back to Real Sociedad,” Balague added.

“The adaptation process will be easier there and all he wants is to play. Since 1 December he’s played only five minutes.

“He played against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on that date then he got an injury and was out for three games. But he has barely featured since.”

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However, despite the player’s preference, Sky Sports suggest that Real could be unwilling to do business with their La Liga counterparts.

Sociedad are just seven points behind Real and could look at them as a direct rival for a European place.

That could play into Arsenal’s hands, who have a recent working relationship with the Spanish giants having agreed two loan deals for Dani Ceballos.

Arsenal are in the market for a creative midfielder, with Mesut Ozil’s departure expected to be confirmed imminently.

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Gunners boss Mikel Arteta made it clear that the priority of the window was to trim his squad.

But aftr sanctioning exits for William Saliba, Sokratis and Sead Kolasinac, the Spaniard could now turn his attentions to incomings in the final days of the window.

“We have done the first part more or less and we are focusing now on the second phase,” said Arteta.

“Obviously this market and the context makes it difficult, but we are looking at options and we will see what we can do.

“We are looking at various positions because the movement we have made in this window with some players leaving the club has left us a little bit short in certain areas.

“So if we can, we will do it and if we can’t, we will keep going with what we have.”

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