Arteta says Arsenal may take 'relationship forward' with Odegaard
Mikel Arteta hints Arsenal may want to take their ‘relationship forward’ with Martin Odegaard by turning loan into permanent deal as club prepare to hold talks with Real Madrid star at the end of the season
- Playmaker Martin Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid last month
- The 22-year-old has caught the eye after starting in the club’s last two fixtures
- Mikel Arteta has hinted Arsenal may look to turn the deal into a permanent one
- The club plan to meet Odegaard and discuss his future at the end of the season
Mikel Arteta has revealed Arsenal may want to turn Martin Odegaard’s loan from Real Madrid into a permanent deal at the end of the season.
The 22-year-old playmaker joined the club in January and has made a bright start, having started the last two fixtures in both the Premier League and Europa League.
But with his long-term future shrouded in uncertainty, Arteta admitted Arsenal plan to hold talks with Odegaard this summer and discuss what lies ahead for him.
Mikel Arteta hinted Arsenal may look to turn Martin Odegaard’s loan into a permanent deal
He said: ‘We have Martin for a few months from Real Madrid and first of all we have to maximise this time with him to try to bring to the team all the qualities he has.
‘At the end of the season we will sit together and decide where we can take that relationship forward. At the moment it doesn’t just depend on us.’
Goal have claimed that the indications from Arsenal are ‘positive’, pointing towards a desire from the north London outfit to keep hold of Odegaard.
Arsenal boss Arteta revealed the club will discuss Odegaard’s future at the end of the season
Parent club Madrid will ultimately make the final decision, however, with the permanent sale of Odegaard in the summer a possibility.
The Norway international has struggled to make an impact at the Bernabeu despite making his debut in 2015.
His loan stint at Arsenal is his fourth in recent seasons – after his other spells with Heerenveen, Vitesse and Real Sociedad.
Arsenal legend Martin Keown admitted after the 1-1 draw against Benfica that he holds ‘reservations’ over Odegaard’s role.
Odegaard has started in Arsenal’s last two fixtures after joining from Real Madrid last month
Recent reports have suggested Madrid may look to keep playmaker Odegaard this summer
‘We’re still waiting to see,’ he told BT Sport. ‘I think there’s a player under there but he’s not played much football for Real Madrid, maybe seven or eight games this season, maybe a bit short of fitness.’
He did, however, insist the starlet did ‘really well’ in helping tee up Buyako Saka for the leveller – and even believes the club plan to ‘build around’ him.
It has been claimed in Spain that Madrid plan to keep Odegaard after his Arsenal loan expires and use him as a ‘trump card’ to snap up Erling Haaland.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Odegaard’s close friendship with his compatriot may prove crucial in settling this summer’s anticipated big-money transfer saga.
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