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Real Madrid reverse course on Arsenal’s top transfer target

By Rucker Haringey

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on April 03, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Martin Odegaard of Arsenal looks on during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on April 03, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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The transfer saga of Martin Odegaard has taken yet another turn. Arsenal have a chance to pry him away from Real Madrid if certain conditions are met. 

Arsenal have not made any attempt to hide their desire to bring Martin Odegaard back to North London on a permanent basis this summer. Previously, Real Madrid have been hesitant to engage the Premier League club in serious transfer negotiations regarding the talented Norwegian. Suddenly, it appears the tide is turning in favor of Mikel Arteta and the Gunners.

According to ABC, Real officials are now willing to consider offloading Odegaard for a tidy sum of £50 million. The Spanish giants are willing to accept an agreement that includes up to £10 million in achievable add-ons for the silky midfielder.

There is a significant catch in Real Madrid’s negotiating stance though. They will insist on a modest buyback clause being included in any potential deal for Odegaard. That could be a deal-breaker for an Arsenal side that want to build their attacking midfield around the 22-year-old.

Will Arsenal be able to push a deal through before the deadline?

Real Madrid’s willingness to at least discuss a potential Odegaard deal should be met with an enthusiastic response by Arsenal officials. Just a week ago it seemed that this transfer idea was dead in the water. Now there’s renewed optimism that the two clubs can come to a mutually beneficial agreement.

That doesn’t mean the odds favor a positive outcome for the Gunners. If Real Madrid assures Odegaard that he’s in line for meaningful first-team minutes then he’ll immediately decide to stay put. He’s not going to push Luka Modric out of the starting XI, but he can fend off former Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos to seize a regular place in the squad.

It’s also very possible that Arsenal officials will consider the idea of a buyback clause in the contract as a complete non-starter. The Gunners aren’t just one No. 10 away from Premier League title contention. They could easily decide to trust Emile Smith Rowe with that responsibility rather than effectively renting Odegaard for another season.

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In the end, look for Arsenal to draw a hard line where they’ll agree to Real Madrid’s financial demands, but push back on the inclusion of any buyback clause. Time will tell just how interested the La Liga giants are in letting a talent like Odegaard leave their squad.

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