Odegaard stance emerges, but Arsenal transfer obstacles stack up for Arteta

Martin Odegaard TEAMtalk

Martin Odegaard’s permanent move to Arsenal looks to have a number of obstacles in the way despite the player being reportedly keen on a transfer.

Odegaard was added to the Gunners’ squad in January on a loan deal until the summer, with Mikel Arteta looking for more guile in his side. And the Real Madrid man has been a hit in north London, making 18 appearances, scoring twice. That has led to a report from Football.London suggesting Odegaard has told those close to him that he’d like to stay with Arsenal this summer.

The 22-year-old has apparently been impressed by Arteta’s “project” and feels “highly valued”.

“I’m really happy. Everything is good here at the club,” he told the Premier League last month. “I’ve felt at home since the first day, I get on really well with my team-mates and everyone at the club. I feel really good.”

The feeling is also understood to be mutual, with Arteta keen on securing Odegaard’s services. But there are a number of stumbling blocks in the way of a permanent transfer.

As Bild have already stated, player’s price maybe beyond Arsenal. Odegaard still has two years left on his Real contract and the LaLiga side are in a strong position, knowing that Arteta wants to sign him.

Football.London echo that stance and highlight that Arsenal may not be able to afford him without European football. They also question whether Real Madrid are even willing to sell.

DefensaCentral claimed last week that Zinedine Zidane believes Real Madrid would have won LaLiga if Odegaard had stayed. The Frenchman was said to be unhappy with the way things panned out with Odegaard.

Zidane’s future with Real could also impact on the Norway captain’s future. Rumours of Zidane departing have emerged and that could also have an effect on Odegaard’s decision. It was of course Zidane who gave Odegaard very few chances and indeed forced him to look for a loan exit.

So while the desire of Odegaard, at this moment in time, is to stay, would he be so keen to remain without European football. Could Arsenal finance a deal with or without the Europa League? And could the player decide to give it another go at the Bernabeu, potentially under a new coach?


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Willian to depart

Meanwhile, Willian will be leaving Arsenal after just one season and is awaiting offers from abroad, according to reports.

It will be a summer of change at Arsenal as they look to make the right adjustments to their squad. Their Premier League form this season has not been good enough and they need to shake things up. As well as targeting new players, they must get rid of some of the underperformers who are draining their wage bill.

It recently emerged that David Luiz would be leaving the club at the end of the season. The defender is reported to have held talks with the club on Friday, confirming he will look for a new adventure.

But he might not be the only Brazilian to exit the Emirates Stadium. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Willian will also be on his way out.

The winger signed a three-year contract when he joined from Chelsea last summer. But the move has not gone to plan and they could now go their separate ways.

READ MORE: David Luiz contract decision revealed after crunch meetings with Arsenal