On Tuesday evening, we carried a report from AS, who explained Arsenal are in a ‘very advanced’ negotiations with Real Madrid to sign Martin Ødegaard.
Marca backed up these claims and stated the midfielder’s return to the Emirates, where he spent the second half of last season on loan, is ‘close to completion’.
It was also explained the 22-year-old will join the Gunners on a permanent transfer this time, but neither Marca, nor AS provided any details of the fee Los Blancos will earn from the Norway international’s sale.
VG also echoes Spanish reports, stating there’s been a ‘breakthrough in negotiations’ between the two clubs.
It’s said that unless there are last minute surprises, Ødegaard will be the most expensive Norwegian, surpassing the NOK 250m [€24m] invested by Sheffield United in signing Sander Berge.
Although VG haven’t managed to get ‘all the details’ of the deal, they do stress Arsenal and Real Madrid will reach an agreement between €35m and €40m, which converts to NOK 365m to NOK 420m.
The Norwegian outlet add the ‘development in negotiations’ is ‘so positive’ that Mikel Arteta’s side now hope to have Ødegaard ready for the clash against Chelsea on August 22nd.
He trained alone at Real Madrid on Tuesday, ‘pending a final clarification’ on his impending move to the north London club, and VG’s report would suggest Ødegaard’s arrival at Arsenal is now imminent.
