Martin Odegaard ‘rejected’ Tottenham transfer approach despite strict Premier League rule

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Martin Odegaard reportedly had the chance to sign for Tottenham this month before opting to join Arsenal on loan. Arsenal missed out on a creative midfielder last summer when they were interested in Houssem Aouar but they remained intent on signing an alternative in January.

Odegaard soon became available after Real Madrid accepted his request to leave on loan to find regular minutes elsewhere.

Real Sociedad were thought to be keen on bringing the Norway international back to the club where he impressed on loan last season.

But Arsenal moved swiftly to secure the services of Odegaard, reportedly offering more money to get the deal done.

His deal was completed on Wednesday and could be in contention to make his debut against Manchester United on Saturday.

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However, Arsenal were seemingly not the only Premier League outfit hoping to sign Odegaard this month.

According to VG, Tottenham had made an approach to sign Odegaard on loan before he decided on Arsenal.

That would have proven difficult for Tottenham to pull off though as they’ve already got Carlos Vinicius, Gedson Fernandes and Gareth Bale on a temporary basis with five players out on loan as well.

FIFA had proposed new regulations for this season which would see clubs only being allowed to have up to eight loan deals per season, both in and out of the club.

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And Jose Mourinho made it clear this week that he didn’t expect any incomings or outgoings before the January transfer deadline.

“The transfer window is open and sometimes unexpected things can happen but I don’t expect it,” Mourinho said.

“I am saying that since the beginning of the transfer window I was not expecting anyone to leave.

“I was not expecting anyone to come. Until now 27th Jan, almost at the end… I don’t believe anything will happen but it’s open, still. Football is football.”

Odegaard will now be hoping to make an immediate impact at Arsenal and he’s looking forward to working under Mikel Arteta.

“I spoke to him before coming here, of course,” Odegaard said.

“That was very important for me and he seems like a top manager and I liked his ideas, the way he sees football and also the way he is.

“He gave me a great feeling and that was important for me to come here. He was crucial.

“I think every time you go to a new place, you want to make sure that it feels good and that there is a plan. But I think everything here just seems good.

“I like the club and I always liked the way that the club wants to play. Everything about the club and now how the manager wants to play, I think it’s a club that really suits me well. So I think it’s a good match.”

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