Arsenal given condition on which Real Madrid duo can sign permanently

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Martin Odegaard, Granit Xhaka Arsenal celebration TEAMtalk

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that one major factor will decide if Arsenal can sign loan duo Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos on permanent deals.

The duo were loaned to the Gunners after failing to earn regular starting spots at the Bernabeu.

Ceballos has been spent the last two seasons in north London, but has scored just twice for the club in 65 appearances.

Odegaard, meanwhile, arrived in January and so far featured seven times for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Speaking on the Que Golazo Podcast, Romano claimed that Arsenal’s hopes of landing the pair hinge on Zinedine Zidane’s future at Real.

The LaLiga giants have shown in the past they’re not afraid of sacking managers if they fail to win the title.

Speaking about Odegaard’s future, Romano said: “It’s a simple loan so there is no buy option, so there is no chance for Arsenal to sign him. But at the end of the season they will have a meeting with Real Madrid and the key for Martin Odegaard will be around the situation of Zinedine Zidane, so we need to see what will happen with Real Madrid more than with Arsenal.

“At Arsenal they are happy with the player, for his start, he is playing good football in the Premier League as you mentioned and he’s really open to developing and to train, so they are so happy with Odegaard, not just as a talent, but also as a guy and that is so important when a player comes from Spain to England.

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“They are so happy with his start, but they will discuss with Real Madrid at the end of the season and the key will be Zidane.

“If Zidane stays it will be difficult for Odegaard to stay and to be part of the plans because he was not playing for Zidane. So that is a hope for Arsenal, but if Zidane leaves the club we will see what happens with Odegaard and also Dani Ceballos.”

To that end, it appears that Arsenal will have to keep a close eye on events at the Bernabeu going forward.


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Arsenal minds made up on Lacazette

Arsenal will look to sell Alexandre Lacazette this summer with a decision already understood to have been made on the striker’s future.

With just 12 months remaining on his contract this summer, the Gunners will cash in on the 29-year-old four-and-a-half years after he arrived at the club.

That is the verdict of football.london, who claim there will be no shortage of suitors for the forward if the price is right.

Lacazette, who has 10 goals in 29 appearances this season for Arsenal, looks ripe to be sold this summer.

He was a target for Atletico Madrid last summer, but no transfer materialised. Read more…