Martin Odegaard has hit the ground running at Arsenal but a permanent move could be beyond the Gunners.
The Norwegian was signed on loan from Real Madrid in January.
Mikel Arteta was in need of a creative midfielder and Odegaard has quickly acclimatised to the English top flight.
Arsenal are planning to discuss the player’s future with his parent club according to football.london.
But a permanent switch may hinge on whether Los Blancos are prepared to ignore the player’s £301 release clause.
Arsenal, when negotiating Odegaard’s loan move, did not include an option to buy nor did they settle on any future fee.
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
That is in stark contrast to Chelsea who were smart enough to include a purchase option when they negotiated with the Spanish side in 2018.
Mateo Kovacic moved to west London on loan before being signed permanently a year later.
Chelsea were able to acquire the player for £40m due to their prior agreement – Arsenal will not have that luxury.
Odegaard’s future first and foremost is likely to depend on whether Zinedine Zidane remains at the Bernabeu.
(Image: PA)
The Madrid boss has not included the 22-year-old regularly, which forced him to seek pastures new for now.
Zidane’s future could hinge on whether Los Blancos win the Champions League with a last eight tie against Liverpool to come.
Odegaard has previously underlined his desire to make the grade in Madrid having joined them as a teenager.
“Yes, as I have said many times when you sign there, the goal is always to play there,” he told TV2. “It is of course a big dream.”
The Spanish giants do view Odegaard as a “fundamental piece” of their future according to reports.
