Arsenal are reportedly ‘hours’ away from completing the signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid. Odegaard spent the second half of last season on loan at Arsenal and impressed manager Mikel Arteta. Gunners boss Arteta made it clear he wanted to bring the Norway star back to the club in some capacity and it appears he is close to doing that.
That is because Spanish journalist Lucas Navarrete has claimed a deal is very close to completion.
Navarrete tweeted on Wednesday morning: “Odegaard’s signing for Arsenal is a matter of hours now, and not days.”
If a deal does indeed happen in the timescale Navarrete has said, then Odegaard could well be available for Sunday’s match at home to Chelsea.
Arsenal were short of attacking resources for their season-opener against Brentford last Friday.
Both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette missed the match in west London due to illness.
Odegaard would provide Arteta with more options in the final third and the creativity he has been craving.
Odegaard was expected to fight for his place at Real this season under Carlo Ancelotti.
However, the 22-year-old has decided it is best for his career to leave the Bernabeu.
He scored two goals in 20 appearances at Arsenal last season, including a goal in the north London derby win over Tottenham.
Arteta made it clear following the last game of the campaign that he wanted Odegaard to return.
He said: “Well we have a very clear and strong opinion on what we would like to do. He’s not our player.
“We’ll have discussions in the next few weeks, but first of all we need to respect that he’s a Real Madrid player. We’ll have those communications.
“We’ve tried to make everything that we could to get Martin performing for the team, which I think he’s done, and he has adapted really well to our way of playing and to our football club.
“Hopefully we have given him the hope and the feeling that this could be a good place for him.”
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport/football
Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @DExpress_Sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @DailyExpressSport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.