Arsenal on the brink of completing their move for Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid in a deal worth £30m plus bonuses as Mikel Arteta returns for the man who impressed on loan at the Emirates Stadium last season
- Arsenal are close to reaching an agreement with Real. over Martin Odegaard
- The Norwegian spent last season on loan at the Emirates from the Spanish giants
- Odegaard is in London for his Arsenal medical and will discuss personal terms
- Odegaard will then put pen to paper on a deal worth £30million plus bonuses
Arsenal are on the brink of reaching an agreement with Real Madrid to sign their Norwegian playmaker Martin Odegaard.
The Gunners had began negotiations with the Spanish giants earlier in the summer over a permanent deal, after Odegaard impressed on loan during the second half of last season.
Both parties have now agreed that Arsenal will pay an initial fee of £30million plus bonuses for the 22-year-old – who is currently in London ahead of his medical.
Martin Odegaard is set to return to Arsenal from Real Madrid, this time on a permanent deal
According to Sky Sports, Odegaard will undergo his medical in North London before discussing personal terms with the club.
Following that, Arsenal will look to register Odegaard before midday on Friday to ensure he is eligible to face Chelsea on Sunday.
Arsenal’s move to bring Odegaard back does, however, signal an end in their interest in Leicester City star James Maddison.
Mikel Arteta has now finally secured the playmaker he has wanted for the season ahead
The Gunners have been linked with the England international for several weeks, though have been unable to bring the Foxes down from their £60m asking price.
As a result, they focused their attention on Odegaard – who spent the second half of last season on loan at Arsenal, making 20 appearances across all competitions and scoring two goals.
Odegaard will be hoping to cement a regular place in Mikel Arteta’s squad after struggling to game-time at Real Madrid.
The move signals an end in their interest in Leicester City star James Maddison (left)
The playmaker – who joined Real Madrid in 2015 – only made eight league appearances for the Spanish side and was sent out on loan to Heerenveen, Vitesse and Real Sociedad before ending up at Arsenal.
Nevertheless, he impressed Arteta – with the Arsenal boss claiming he wanted the Norwegian to return to the Emirates on a permanent basis from the get-go.
Odegaard will now join the likes of Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Nuno Tavares as one of Arsenal’s summer signings.
