Martin Odegaard says he still dreams of playing at Real Madrid despite talk of a permanent move to Arsenal.
The midfielder has quickly won over the hearts of Arsenal fans since his loan move during the January transfer window, filling the creative void in Mikel Arteta‘s midfield.
Odegaard has played an instrumental part for the Gunners in recent weeks, and that has led to calls for Arsenal to sign him on a permanent deal this summer.
That’s despite Real Madrid making it pretty clear when they sanctioned the loan that they expected their Norwegian starlet back at the Bernabeu ahead of next season.
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And if that alone wasn’t enough to suggest the Gunners will miss out on the midfielder, then Odegaard’s latest comments on his desire to play for Real Madrid might force Arsenal fans to face the reality.
“Yes, as I have said many times when you sign there, the goal is always to play there. It is of course a big dream,” Odegaard told TV2.
However, Odegaard did add: “But at the same time I am in a nice club and am very happy where I am now. So I am very happy with the situation as it is now.”
That suggests the midfielder will report back for duty at Real Madrid ahead of next season, as he did after his very successful loan spell with Real Sociedad last season.
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It’s likely Arsenal will struggle to change Real Madrid’s mind with reports this week suggesting the Spanish club see him as a ‘fundamental piece’ of their future.
Odegaard has a release clause worth around £300million, so his future is very much in the hands of his parent club, and it seems he is perfectly fine with that, given his Bernabeu dream.
The midfielder has made 11 senior appearances to date for Real Madrid.