Arsenal are set to be denied in their attempts to bring Martin Odegaard back to the club this summer.
The Norway international, who impressed during a loan spell during the second half of last season, was regarded as the Gunners’ number one target for the creative midfield role.
Interest in Odegaard ramped up after Arsenal lost out to Aston Villa on a deal for Emiliano Buendia.
But it is all but certain that the north London outfit won’t be re-signing Odegaard either, after it was announced that Real Madrid have made a decision for him to report for pre-season training.
“Real Madrid have been clear that they would like me back,” Odegaard said when speaking to Norwegian outlet TV2. “So then it will be time to go there when the training starts up again.”
Of course, a final decision as to whether Odegaard stays in Spain next season will be made by newly-appointed manager Carlo Ancelotti
And whilst the 22-year-old has confirmed that conversations have not yet taken place with the Italian, he has revealed his personal aspirations of representing Los Blancos more regularly.
“Of course it has always been a dream to play there. I have been in the club for over six years now, and that has always been the goal,” he continued.
“I always want to play, I have said that all the time. Playing hard is important.”
Interestingly, Dani Ceballos spent pre-season with Real Madrid last summer before sealing his return to Arsenal, so there’s still hope for the same thing to happen with Odegaard.
But the Gunners have already made plans in the event they can’t bring the playmaker back.
As reported by football.london last week the Gunners are considering a move for Leicester City midfielder James Maddison after missing out on a deal for Buendia and as an alternative to Odegaard.
In addition, Mikel Arteta is an admirer of Maddison and the 24-year-old is ‘at the top of the list’ for Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
However, the one major sticking point is that Foxes are likely to demand over £60m for the playmaker, who only signed a new long-term contract at the King Power Stadium less than a year ago.