GOOD MORNING FOOTY FANS
Arsenal have reportedly agreed a £1.8million loan move for Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard.
The Gunners will fork out for the Norwegian’s entire £38,000-a-week wages, meaning his move until the end of the season will cost around £2.5m, according to The Times.
Mikel Arteta is believed to have personally called the 22-year-old to persuade him to move to the Emirates rather than stay in Spain with Real Sociedad, where he played last season.
The Athletic reports Odegaard is due to fly into London on Sunday with a move expected to be concluded after a medical on Monday.
Due to the elite sportsperson exemption from self-isolation measures, if Odegaard returns a negative Covid-19 test, he will be free to immediately join up with Arteta’s squad.
As one heads in, another goes with Mesut Ozil’s exit to Fenerbahce confirmed.
The German said: “Together we won trophies for the first time in years and created memories that will last a lifetime. The Arsenal fans will forever remain in my heart.”
Arteta added: “Mesut’s achievements at Arsenal are undisputed. It was a privilege to play alongside him and, more recently, coach him.”
Elsewhere, Chelsea are interested in Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele, reports say.
The Frenchman’s deal expires next summer, and he is believed to be considering his future.
And Jesse Lingard is heading for the Manchester United exit door. According to ESPN, the decision to loan out Lingard is with the United board.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was said to be happy to keep the player but, after talks between the pair, a departure looks likely.
Newcastle, Tottenham, Sheffield United, West Ham and West Brom are named as keen on Lingard.
