Martin Odegaard has confirmed that he will not return to Arsenal this summer after his loan from Real Madrid expired.
The Norwegian enjoyed a productive six-month period at the Emirates Stadium during the second half of last season and scored two goals and two assists in 20 games, and Arsenal were keen to get him back permanently this summer.
A transfer always seemed unlikely and Arsenal’s chances of landing Odegaard permanently received a huge blow from the departure of former Real boss Zinedine Zidane, whose lack of confidence in the young midfielder was the whole reason he had to leave the club on loan in that position. .
Arsenal have been looking elsewhere in their search for a number ten, including a failed search for Emiliano Buendia. They seem to know that a move for Odegaard will not happen, but the player himself has now confirmed it anyway.
“Arsenal, thank you so much for these six months,” he wrote on Instagram. “My time with the Arsenal family will always have a special place in my heart.
“I want to thank everyone in and around the club for how you made me feel part of the family from day one. Special thanks to the fans, even without you in the arena for most of the season, I felt you with me all the time.
“A big thank you to the manager and his staff for everything I have learned during my stay. Thanks also to all my teammates for such a great time on and off the pitch. I will miss you all. Thank you, the Gunners family. Always in my heart. “
New Real boss Carlo Ancelotti is expected to give Odegaard the chance to impress at the Santiago Bernabeu this season and is likely to give him a place in the squad taken up by Isco, which is available for transfer this summer.
As for Arsenal, the search continues for a new number 10. The plan is to tie Emile Smith Rowe to a new contract, but Mikel Arteta still wants someone new to offer a little extra competition.
Leicester City’s James Maddison is believed to be the best target but will almost certainly be too expensive, making Arsenal look at other options. Barcelona’s Philippe Coutinho has been convincingly named a potential target, while recent reports have linked Arsenal to a £ 15m move for RB Leipzig’s Marcel Sabitzer.
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