Arsenal closing on the main target

Arsenal are set to sign their primary target, Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard, on a permanent move from Real Madrid.

Reliable journalist David Ornstein has claimed that both clubs are close to an agreement for the 22-year-old. The transfer fee is set to be around £35 million, and the transfer is not expected to have any buy-back clause. As per the report, Arsenal are hopeful of including Odegaard in their match-day squad for the home game against Chelsea on Sunday.

If all goes to plan Martin Odegaard’s proposed transfer from Real Madrid to Arsenal will be for around €35m & he may be in contention to feature vs Chelsea on Sun – but still a fair amount of work to be done before completed @TheAthleticUK #RMFC #AFC #CFC https://t.co/eoSXmLY5ts

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 17, 2021

Odegaard seemed to be on his way out when he was not given a squad number by Madrid at the start of the season. Apparently, Odegaard didn’t train with the Real Madrid squad on Tuesday in anticipation of the move.

Earlier today, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano also confirmed that the North London club have been in talks with Real Madrid for weeks.

Martin Ødegaard was at Valdebebas today and will be respectful with Real Madrid as always – serious professional and guy. Arsenal are in negotiations with Real Madrid since weeks as he’s the main target. ⚪️🔴 #AFC

Arsenal and Real are still discussing about the fee for Ødegaard.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 17, 2021

Odegaard spent the second half of the last season on loan with the North London club. His short spell at the club was enough to impress Mikel Arteta and his staff. Hence, since the end of the season, Arsenal have expressed a desire to bring back the midfield maestro to Emirates Stadium.

Throughout the window, the Gunners have played the waiting game. However, Real Madrid’s stance over their player was unclear up until a week ago. Now, it appears that Real Madrid have finally agreed to let go of their prodigious talent, who signed for them as a 16-year-old in 2015.

For Arsenal fans, it has been the case of waiting frustratingly for their new major signing following the arrival of Ben White. Creativity has been an apparent issue for Mikel Arteta, and it has been evident that he wants to bring in a creative midfielder.

Arsenal have been linked with numerous midfielders during the last couple of months. However, the names of Odegaard and Leicester City star James Maddison have always topped these discussions. Now it seems that Odegaard will be the new star signing at Emirates Stadium.