“I’m sure it is” – National team manager backs player to join Arsenal, ‘something going on’

Martin Ødegaard was hoping to feature regularly for Real Madrid, after returning from his loan stay at Arsenal.

Recent reports indicated Carlo Ancelotti isn’t willing to assure the midfielder of regular game time. This has resulted in the Gunners being brought back into the picture since Mikel Arteta is keen on having the Norway international at his disposal again.

Last weekend, ABC reported the north London club ‘will offer’ €30m to the La Liga side and are ‘negotiating’ the player’s signing.

The 22-year-old has now received backing from Norway manager Ståle Solbakken to make a switch to Arsenal.

According to Aftenposten, Solbakken will travel across Europe to watch Norway players in action and will start his ‘tour’ with a trip to Germany, to watch Erling Haaland for Borussia Dortmund.

Embed from Getty Images

“It has something to do with where they are different. The plan is Dortmund, and so on, or it could be Denmark or Norway. I need to see what happens to the guys hanging on the fence. But I can’t sit in a hotel room for two days and wait for something to become clear,” he said, as quoted by Aftenposten.

On Ødegaard’s situation at Real Madrid, Solbakken said: “I don’t know more than that it is of course a clear signal for Martin. He played regularly in the practice matches, either from the start or with a lot of playing time as a substitute.

“When he is not in the squad, you do not need to have to be a fortune teller to know that there may be something going on.”

The national team manager was directly quizzed about the Arsenal rumours and whether a return to the Emirates is a good for Ødegaard, taking into account his displays in the second half of last season.

Responding to that, Solbakken said: “I’m sure it is. He has many opportunities, many who want him. So, he, his representatives and his family will find out. He has been very good at picking out the right clubs in the past.”