Arsenal Complete Odegaard Signing From Real Madrid

Martin Odegaard of Real Sociedad in 2020
Martin Odegaard of Real Sociedad in 2020. Photo by Bagu Blanco/BPI/Shutterstock (10576643i)

Arsenal has signed Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard for a €45 million transfer fee, the Premier League side confirmed on Friday. This comes after the 22-year-old star spent a season-long loan at Arsenal, scoring two goals in 20 games for the Gunners and proving himself as an effective playmaker.

In order to amass the funds needed for Odegaard’s signature, Arsenal decided to offload midfielder Joe Willock, who was sold to Newcastle United for a fee of £25 million. It has also been reported that the Gunners’ decision to offer Odegaard a permanent deal was made possible after Real Madrid dropped their asking price for the player from €60 million to €45 million.

Prior to securing a permanent move to the Northwest London-based club, Odegaard returned to Real Madrid in the summer in an attempt to break into the first team. After being told by manager Carlo Ancelotti that he would be faced with high competition for a starting spot, Odegaard turned his focus back to the Gunners, whom he made an impact with during the previous season.

Given the number 8 shirt at Arsenal, Odegaard will not yet be available for team selection as Arsenal face Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday.