Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has insisted that he remains confident that the club can secure a summer contract for Real Madrid’s Martin Odegaard.
The Norwegian international joined the Gunners on loan from Zinedine Zidane’s team during the January transfer and has impressed for the Premier League team.
However, the 22-year-old is rumored to be in favor of a return to Madrid as he looks to fight for a place in Zidane’s starting lineup.
But even though the situation seemed difficult for Arsenal to rectify, Arteta said in an interview with him club official website who is still in talks about a transfer.
“We have a very clear and strong opinion about what we would like to do,” said the Basque coach after his last game of the season.
“He is not our player. We will have discussions in the next few weeks. And I respect first of all that he is a Real Madrid player, but we are going to have those conversations.
“We have tried to do everything possible to get Martin to perform for the team, which I think he has done.
“He has adapted very well to our way of playing and to the club. Hopefully we’ve given him hope and a feeling that it could be a good place for him. “
Zidane is unclear on his exact plans for Odegaard after sanctioning another loan for him in 2021 after failing to find a regular first-team spot for him at Madrid.
If Odegaard is left out again, he could be open to a permanent return to Arsenal, but Real Madrid will demand a minimum fee of £ 25 million for him.
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