Arsenal’s torrid start to the Premier League season on Friday will have accelerated some of the club’s transfer plans.
It’s clear that Arsenal needed reinforcements, but a dismal display at Brentford has piled the pressure on the club’s hierarchy as they search for solutions.
A new attacking midfielder has been linked all summer and the Gunners seriously lacked midfield creativity on Friday night. Emile Smith Rowe was one of a couple of encouraging Arsenal performers on the night, but the Englishman could not carry the team by himself, the creative burden was too much.
In the second half of last season, Smith Rowe and Odegaard combined well to improve Arsenal’s attacking output. Mikel Arteta was clearly a big fan of Martin’s talent and leadership skills – a quality that was clearly lacking on Friday.
Odegaard always appeared to be the clubs primary attacking target for this summer and now according to 90min, Arsenal are growing increasingly confident that they will complete a deal to sign the 22-year-old Norway captain, and this time, permanently.
Odegaard, who is valued at £36m on transfermarkt, would probably cost that much if Arsenal were to convince Madrid to sell permanently.
There were reports last week that Arsenal would need to pay 60million euros to sign Odegaard permanently, but these appear to be wide of the mark given other widespread estimations.
After Joe Willock’s move to Newcastle was confirmed last week, Arsenal fans have been expecting a new arrival in midfield. The club will hope to tie up a move for Odegaard in time to get him in the squad for the Chelsea game.