Arteta admits Martin Odegaard not ready to commit to Arsenal
April 3, 2021
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed they want to sign Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard on a permanent basis.
He insists the Norway captain is happy – but they will still have to convince him.
Arteta said: “I don’t like to read between the lines, I speak with him every day, I see his face, his body language and he seems really happy right now here.
“Our contract with him until the end of the season but what we have to do is try to make him perform, develop and as happy as he can be.
“The team is going to be reflecting in better performances, better results and at the end of the season we’ll see where we are and have a discussion.”
According to Sky Germany, the Gunners are also trying to recruit another top star in Nkunku to play alongside Odegaard. The French midfielder has made himself a household name in the Bundesliga since ditching PSG. He has become a regular in their side under Julian Nagelsmann, scoring seven times and assisting six in 31 appearances this season.
Arsenal were initially keen to land Nkunku when he left for Leipzig in 2019. Looking back, they probably rue not pushing harder given his success since a £11.7m move.
However, Sky Germany claims Gunners’ eyes are now firmly fixed on recruiting Nkunku again. They state he’s just one of several Leipzig stars likely to leave this summer. They have already lost Dayot Upamecano to Bayern Munich, while Ibrahima Konate is being strongly linked with Liverpool.
Furthermore, Marcel Sabitzer is also likely to move on, with Tottenham leading the charge.
Nkunku would also be another huge loss to Nagelsmann. The report claims there is a possibility he ‘could move to England’ with Arsenal.
A partnership with Odegaard, perhaps with the equally talented Emile Smith-Rowe or Bukayo Saka, operating as a three behind the central striker, would certainly excite Gunners fans.
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