Arsenal are still interested in signing Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid, although their main transfer target is James Maddison.
Odegaard joined the club on loan in January last year and continued to play 20 matches in all competitions and registered two goals and two assists.
Although his performances were mixed, the Gunners were suitably impressed and are considering permanently signing him this summer. According to football.london, although Odegaard is keen to fight for his place under the new Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, the club is open to the idea of selling him towards the end of the transfer window.
The Norwegian international has only made a handful of appearances for Los Blanco’s first team since he came back as a teenager in 2015. This despite the fact that he impressed during previous loan periods at Vitesse Arnhem and Real Sociedad.
If the road to the senior side remains blocked, Odegaard can be convinced to return to the Premier League.
Although Gunner’s interest is genuine, he is not Mikel Arteta’s first choice. Instead, Arsenal are eager to complete a deal for Maddison. The Gunners have already ruled out the possibility of signing him through intermediaries, but negotiations are not expected to be simple.
Foxes values Maddison – who is one of their key players – at around 60 million pounds. Leicester have previously refused to be pushed around by the Premier League so-called ‘Big Six’ and are selling Danny Drinkwater and Ben Chilwell to Chelsea for big money. They also received a world record fee from Manchester United for Harry Maguire 2019.
Maddison is on Arsenal’s radar / Visionhaus / Getty Images
Maddison still has three years left on his current deal and Arsenal’s lack of European football further weakens their negotiating position. However, Leicester will play in the Europa League next season after missing the Champions League qualifier on the last day – again.
