Arsenal appear to be on the verge of signing Real Madrid attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard.
Martin Odegaard rumour
According to The Daily Mail, Arsenal are set to announce the signing of the Norway international today.
It has been reported that the 22-year-old spent Monday at the Gunners’ training ground, and that the North London club will announce the deal imminently.
The youngster is a very talented and promising attacking midfielder and has huge potential, but things have not worked out for him at Madrid.
Emile Smith Rowe has emerged as the creator-in-chief at Arsenal, but manager Mikel Arteta could do with another option, and perhaps that is why he is reportedly bringing in Odegaard.
Denis Suarez 2.0?
Former Arsenal star Alan Smith, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, does not think that Odegaard will be able to play regularly, and has reminded the Gunners of the mistake they made with Denis Suarez.
The 27-year-old midfielder joined the Gunners on loan from Barcelona in January 2019 until the end of the 2018-19 season, and played just 67 minutes in the Premier League and 28 minutes in the Europa League, according to WhoScored.
Warning
Smith said about Odegaard on Astro Turf: “To have another option perhaps. I don’t think he would walk into the team by any stretches.
“He had his problems developing at Real Madrid, and the last thing Arsenal want is to get somebody in who can’t offer anything.
“You think back to Denis Suarez last season. He came to the club and physically just wasn’t ready. Then he picked up injuries. It was a bit of an embarrassment in the end, so they would do their homework on Odegaard.”
Staying positive
Odegaard is reportedly being signed as an added option in attacking midfield, and given that it will be a loan deal, there is really not much risk involved for Arsenal.
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