Arsenal are unlikely to retain the services of Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard, as per journalist Charles Watts.
The Norwegian playmaker had an impressive loan spell at the Emirates. He joined the Gunners in January and despite the club’s struggles last season, the 22-year-old managed three-goal contributions in just nine Premier League starts.
Odegaard was reportedly Mikel Arteta’s top transfer target for the summer but the appointment of Carlo Ancelloti as Real Madrid manager could be a setback for the North London outfit in their pursuit of the £50m-rated(as per Sun) midfielder. They are aware of the complexity involved in this deal and have been exploring other apt alternatives.
Speaking on his Youtube channel, Watts revealed that the chances of retaining Odegaard for another stint are slim. The Journalist said:
“They are interested in plenty of players when it comes to the number 10, For now, I wouldn’t totally rule out Martin Odegaard, they want a number 10, and Odegaard has been the priority.”, he said.
“It’s looking more and more unlikely as the summer progresses. Odegaard will probably end up staying at Real Madrid.”
The Journalist also did not rule out the possibility of a return for the Los Blancos player, he added:
“But as far as I’m aware I don’t think Arsenal have absolutely given up the ghost in terms of bringing Odegaard back. I don’t think that’s happened yet.”
Arsenal Fever View:
The north Londoners are now looking for alternatives, with James Maddison being the latest player to be linked. He is a young player with proven abilities in the Premier League. He is also a homegrown player with vast experience of playing at the highest level and this can help the likes of Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka.
The Leicester City player drops in between defenders to create space for the forwards, connects the build-up during the transition, and has an eye for goals. The Foxes star is a prolific chance creator. He undoubtedly injects quality to the side but an obstacle for the North Londoners in acquiring him is the huge price tag.
The Gunners might have to break the bank to secure Maddison’s signature but with other positions that require urgent addressing, it remains unclear if they are ready to invest a big sum on a midfielder.
Another midfielder the club have set their eyes on is Albert Sambi Lokonga. In recent days the talks between them and Anderlecht have gathered pace. It is also reported that the youngster wants to seal a move to north London and that personal terms have already been agreed. His attacking game is similar to that of Maddison, but the Belgian can additionally offer more on the defensive front with his ability to win duels.
Throughout the last season, Arteta’s men have struggled with creativity and while they may have improved defensively, they’ve been a shadow of the team we once knew in the final third. Therefore they must sign a player who can hit the ground running from his first game.
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