Real Madrid’s Odegaard transfer stance as they outline hope amid Arsenal spell

Real Madrid have made a decision on where Martin Odegaard's future lies, according to reports in Spain.

Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan in January and has regularly featured in attacking midfield under Mikel Arteta.

The Norway international has started the Gunners' last four matches in all competitions, playing 90 minutes in both legs as they beat Benfica 4-3 on aggregate to progress to the Europa League last 16.

In contrast, Odegaard started just five games for Los Blancos during a frustrating first half of the season.

The 22-year-old appears to be relishing his regular game time in north London and Arteta speaks very highly of his loanee.

But Marca claims any hopes Arsenal have of keeping Odegaard beyond his loan's expiry at the end of the season are futile.

The report claims Real Madrid still see the player as an important member of the squad who will grow in stature in coming seasons but benefit from minutes at the Emirates in the meantime.

Furthermore, Odegaard's limited involvement for the Spanish giants was due to tendinitis which was irritating his knee.

Have you been impressed by Odegaard since he joined Arsenal on loan? Have your say in the comments.

The Stromsgodset academy graduate only recovered from the inflammation of his tendon a matter of weeks ago.

This has allowed him to make six appearances for Arsenal, whereas he was unfit for much of the La Liga campaign after a disrupted pre-season.

With his tendinitis issues behind him, Odegaard is set to play a major role for Arsenal in the Premier League run-in and the Europa League knockout stage.

But the player is yet to score or assist for the Gunners and club legend Martin Keown says he would rather see Emile Smith Rowe in the No.10 role.

"There’s a player there, somewhere, underneath all that, he’s got flashes of real quality," Keown told BT Sport .

"But Smith Rowe now was ready to burst into that position. I’d simply put him back in that position."

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