Transfers: Arsenal suffer blow as Rice gives Chelsea boost
Arsenal may be forced to rethink their summer transfer plans as Martin Odegaard is set to stay at Real Madrid this summer. The Norwegian midfielder made a positive impression while on loan at the Emirates last season, having joined the Gunners in the January window.
Odegaard returned to parent club Real Madrid at the end of the season, who are currently weighing up their future plans for the 22-year-old.
He has spent the past five seasons out on loan, though it appears Los Blancos may now be willing to finally hand the Norway international a chance in the first-team.
According to Spanish publication AS, manager Carlo Ancelotti views the returning trio of Dani Ceballos, Gareth Bale and Odegaard as new signings and intends to involve them in his plans.
The report adds that Odegaard is “clear” that he stays this season, having held a conversation with Ancelotti regarding his role in the team.
Martin Odegaard looks set to stay at Real Madrid (Image: Getty)
It’s claimed that experienced midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos will play less of a starring role next season, enabling more opportunities to be provided to other members of the squad.
Madrid are currently in a difficult financial position and will avoid spending large sums of money this summer as they attempt to reduce their wage bill.
One way they hope to achieve this is by utilising players such as Odegaard, who have previously been sent out on loan but can no come back into the team at no cost.
The 22-year-old is likely to be ready to take on this challenge, on the back of successful experiences at in the Netherlands, Spain and England.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta appeared hopeful of striking a deal to bring Odegaard back to north London for the 2021/22 season as he made clear that “discussions” would be taking place between the two clubs.
“We have a very clear and strong opinion on what we would like to do,” said the Spaniard at the end of last season.
Arteta added: "He's not our player. We'll have discussions in the next few weeks, but first of all we need to respect that he's a Real Madrid player.
“We'll have those communications. We've tried to make everything that we could to get Martin performing for the team, which I think he's done, and he has adapted really well to our way of playing and to our football club.
“Hopefully we have given him the hope and the feeling that this could be a good place for him.”
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