Odegaard repeat on as Arsenal enter talks with agent of classy midfielder
Arsenal could repeat the success they’ve had with Martin Odegaard by bringing another classy midfielder to the Emirates this winter, according to reports.
Odegaard, 23, joined the Gunners in January on an initial loan. He clearly left a good impression as Arsenal chiefs paid Real Madrid £30million for his signature in August.
Odegaard has been in brilliant form of late. He boasts a record of three goals and three assists in his last six Premier League appearances. Following his starring display in the 4-1 win over Leeds on December 18, Arsenal legend Martin Keown said: “I will say that when he first came to the club, I was not his biggest fan. But I have to change that opinion now because he really is developing.
“You see that clever movement that he has to receive the ball, he was first-class in that Arsenal midfield.
“He’s growing in stature. His confidence is really high, the manager has backed him. For me he’s just getting better and better.”
Reports suggest Mikel Arteta’s side could bring in a similarly talented midfielder in the January window. Sport Witness, citing reports in Italy, claim Juventus playmaker Arthur Melo is of interest to Arsenal.
The Brazil international recently changed agent and apparently wants to leave Turin. He has spent plenty of time on the bench since October.
Liverpool shortlist Bukayo Saka as a summer target
Reports suggest Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka would be willing to move to Liverpool, if the chance arose.
Arthur’s new representative, Federico Pastorello, is intent on finding a solution. That is most likely to be a loan this winter.
A switch to north London is on the cards as Pastorello has reportedly had ‘much more than a chat’ with Arsenal about the player.
Should Arthur join the three-time Premier League winners and impress then he could join permanently in the summer, which would see him follow in Odegaard’s foosteps.
Mertesacker weighs in on Arsenal transfers
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s academy manager Per Mertsesacker has been speaking about the club’s recent transfer policy.
“We are in a state of upheaval and are building a team capable of development, which should be peppered with players from our own youth and professionals from abroad,” he said.
“In the meantime, we had lost our way. We tried to make the connection to the top faster with costly commitments. We fell on our face with that.
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“It is not easy to find successors who bring good ideas and who at the same time involve club employees.
“Mikel has a different knit than Arsene, is intense and focused. He tries to be very active as a trainer, to respond to the new generation and to clearly show what is required.
“The current generation needs more requirements, while in my time much more was regulated in dialogue with one another.”
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