Arsenal set to complete Odegaard loan deal in ‘next few hours’ | OneFootball

Arsenal are closing in on a loan deal for Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard with a deal expected to be finalised in the coming hours.

Mikel Arteta is pressing ahead with plans to secure incomings at Arsenal before the end of the January transfer window after trimming his bloated squad in recent weeks, with the addition of a creative midfielder the Gunner’s chief focus.

The north London side have now made a breakthrough in their approach for Norway international Odegaard, who is keen to leave Real Madrid on loan this winter in search of regular first-team football.

Odegaard spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad and impressed with seven goals and nine assists in all competitions, but has failed to force his way into the Spanish champion’s side this season and has made just three league starts and its keen to ensure his progress does not stall.

The 22-year-old has previously enjoyed loan spells in the Netherlands with both Heerenveen and Vitesse, after initially becoming a household name following a much publicised move to the Bernabeu as a teenager.

Arsenal had faced competition for the player’s signature with Real Sociedad keen on re-signing the star, though Real Madrid’s preference is for the youngster to move to the Premier League and a deal to take the Norwegian to the Emirates is now edging closer.

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