Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard ‘dream’ dead but Gunners could sign his Real Madrid team-mate

Arsenal: First fixtures of 2021/22 Premier League season

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Arsenal’s ‘dream’ of re-signing Martin Odegaard on a permanent transfer has been shot down in flames – but the Gunners could target one of his Real Madrid team-mates this summer as an alternative.

Odegaard, 22, impressed in his six-month loan spell at the Emirates and Mikel Arteta was hoping to recruit the £40million-rated playmaker on a full-time basis or on another season-long loan.

But the Norwegian rubbished speculation he could return to north London for the 2021-22 campaign on Saturday evening as he bode farewell to the Premier League club.

Odegaard said in a statement on social media: “@arsenal, Thank you so much for these 6 months. My time with the Arsenal family will always hold a special place in my heart.

“I wanna thank everyone in and around the club for the way you made me feel like a part of the family since the first day.

“Special thanks to the fans, even without you guys at the stadium for the majority of the season, I felt you with me at all times.

“A huge thank you to the boss and his staff for everything I’ve learned during my stay.

“Thank you also to all my teammates for such a great time on and off the pitch. Will miss you all. Thank you, gunners family. Always in my heart.”

And transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who tweeted a screenshot of Odegaard’s message, said: “Martin Odegaard officially confirms that he’s not re-joining Arsenal, despite #AFC wanted to sign him.

“Real Madrid plan is to keep Martin – Isco could leave the club if the right bid will arrive.”

The previous night, speaking on Twitch, Romano had said: “They [Arsenal] want a new No 10 but at the moment there is nothing with Philippe Coutinho.

“My last feeling on Odegaard is that Arsenal have been dreaming of keeping him and signing him on a permanent deal from Real Madrid.

“They were always hoping for a one per cent possibility but now they see Real Madrid keeping Odegaard and maybe selling Isco this summer.”

With Arsenal still eager to sign a new attacking midfielder to work in tandem with and in replace of Emile Smith Rowe after being snubbed by Odegaard, Isco could well emerge as an affordable alternative.

The 29-year-old has spent eight years at the Bernabeu and has racked up 51 goals and 56 assists in 336 appearances since joining from Malaga.

MORE ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS…
Arsenal ‘desperate to sell’ Alexandre Lacazette as Arteta plan emerges
Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson gives strongest transfer indication yet
Arsenal and Tottenham handed Jules Kounde transfer boost by Man Utd

The 38-cap Spain international, who has 12 goals for his country, has long been linked to the Premier League and most regularly to Manchester City and Arsenal.

The No 10 can also play in central midfield or out wide having operated on the left wing and the right wing in the past two seasons as well as being utilised as a deeper-lying midfielder.

A £14m price tag has previously been mooted and the fact he is out of contract in 2022 means Real Madrid could not demand a substantial fee for the player.

A price tag of around that amount would make the attacker a feasible acquisition for Arsenal if they could convince him to accept a season without European football.

And Isco might be viewed as a low cost but high value alternative to Odegaard even though he is older and has failed to truly exert his abilities in Spain’s capital in recent seasons.

Emiliano Buendia had been a top target in the position but the Argentine joined Aston Villa from Norwich last month for a club-record fee that could rise to £38m.

Arsenal are meanwhile closing in on the signings of Benfica left-back Nuno Tavares and Anderlecht midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga for a combined figure of around £25m.

Brighton centre-back Ben White, who will cost £50m, is another target while Arsenal could also sign a new goalkeeper with £25m-rated Aaron Ramsdale of Sheffield United the main candidate.

Source: Read Full Article