Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Martin Odegaard’s family helped him decide to join Arsenal this month, over an offer from Real Sociedad.
The Norwegian youngster has settled for a minimal role at the Bernabeu this season, picking up just three starts and four substitute appearances in La Liga thus far this term.
Odegaard arrived in Spain with a massive reputation, with a number of clubs courting him after he set the Norwegian division alight at the age of just 15 starring for Stromsgodset.
He made his La Liga debut at the age of 16 when coming off the bench against Getafe in May 2015, but failed to break into the first-team on a regular basis initially.
Odegaard eventually went on loan deals with Heerenveen and Vitesse Arnhem, before finally playing a key role with Real Sociedad last season in La Liga, where he made enough of an impression to be given a chance to impress Real Madrid this term, but his opportunities have come sparingly.
The 22 year-old is now looking for more regular action for the remainder of the season, and despite being offered the chance to return to Sociedad where he would likely be assured of first-team football, he and his family have supposedly earmarked a move to Arsenal instead.
Ødegaard was open to re-join Real Sociedad… when Arsenal bid ‘tempted’ him. Martin decided with his family to give priority to Arsenal. #AFC and Real Madrid now in direct contact to complete the deal – Real only want a simple loan. ⚪️🔴
Arsenal are really ‘confident’. 🇳🇴
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 22, 2021
Romano also claimed earlier that such a deal was a matter of hours away…
Martin Ødegaard has decided to join Arsenal over Real Sociedad ⚪️🔴
The deal is expected to be completed in the coming hours. #AFC and Real Madrid are in contact to reach the agreement – Real want a ‘simple’ loan until June.
Arteta spoke directly with the player – key factor. https://t.co/id7qQyNPpL
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 22, 2021
Will Arsenal have to have give Odegaard guarantees over his first-team minutes to strike a deal? Will his arrival be detrimental to the progress of Emile Smith Rowe?
Patrick
I want him also
Someone will have to leave before we bring him in. Mat Ryan has maxed us out on non home grown players and a left back is being looked at.
Runarrsson, Mustafi the two most likely to be left out then. The rumor is that Ryan Bertrand is our LB target and he is HG, so maybe just one left out. (I cant remember if we are at max 25 as well, but I know we are pushing NHG limit)
The Mirror is claiming that Ryan’s mother is British in which case he would qualify as HG
Mat Ryan is not classed as homegrown.
Passports dont matter. You must play in England/Wales 3+ years before you turn 21 to be classified as HG. For example, Eric Dier is English, but NOT HG, because he spent his youth in Portugal and not England.
Reggie and RSH you are correct. Matt Ryan is “dinky di”, as Aussie as meat pies and has Vegemite on toast for breakfast.
Can only be good news, if it happens. Keeps guys like Willian further away from the first 11.
Acquiring Odegaard along with Mat Ryan would be two decent piece of business, Ryan is good quality with good experience and Odegaard is just the level that would compete with ESR, but not exactly usurp him, which the likes of Buendia and Brandt would’ve probably do, smart pick up by Afc
Odegaard s family are looking forward to shopping in London. Isn’t it a good feeling, when a player and his family want to come to Arsenal?
Getting odegaard might be detrimental to the Emile Smith Rowe’s position