The Norwegian’s Real Madrid chapter looks set to be over, with the midfielder on the cusp of signing for Arsenal. He spent the last six months of the 2020/21 season at North London.
Arsenal are set to make Odegaard their fourth signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares. The Norwegian playmaker is expected to leave Real Madrid to return to Arsenal, where he spent the last six months of the 2020/21 season on loan.
The Athletic reports that Arsenal and Real are close to agreeing on a fee in the region of 35 million pounds. The deal has moved quickly, and Odegaard could yet feature for the Gunners against Chelsea this weekend.
Should the deal go through, Odegaard will leave Spanish capital with only a handful of league appearances in the bag. In contrast, the Norwegian featured regularly for the London side – between January and June 2021 – having become a key part of the side under Mikel Arteta.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are also back in for Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale. Talks between the two clubs broke down earlier this month after they could not agree to a common fee. The Blades reportedly set his price tag at 35 million pounds, which the Gunners refused to match. However, discussions have resumed, and the two sides could reach a compromise in due course.
The 23-year-old is seen as one for the future by Arsenal, who could also provide back-up to Bernd Leno in the short term. The German is expected to stay at the Emirates this season, but his contract has only two years remaining in it.