Arsenal receive praise from Fabrizio Romano for signing Martin Odegaard
During the January transfer window, Arsenal signed Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid.
The January transfer window was more complex than most past windows due to the financial implications brought on by the pandemic. Most clubs were unable to do too much business but the Gunners were one of a select few who got a lot done.
Fabrizio Romano was asked on his Here We Go Podcast who he would pick as the best signing of the January transfer window and he said:
I would go for Odegaard at Arsenal. He’s an amazing talent. It was a good opportunity to loan, with the option to discuss with Real Madrid in the summer.
Later on in the podcast he went on to praise Arsenal by saying:
Signing this kind of player in January is not so easy. Arsenal were so fast.
The Gunners will make a decision on whether to pursue a permanent deal for Odegaard once his loan spell ends, according to Chris Wheatley of Football.London.
Martin Odegaard was lacking game time and continuity in his career at Real Madrid and that was a concern for the player and his representatives. The Norway international signed for the Spanish champions when he was just 16 years old but has only made eight appearances for the first team since 2015.
It cannot go unnoticed that this six-year-period was disrupted by injury as well as the Norwegian midfielder being sent out on loan three times before moving to the Emirates for his fourth loan spell since signing for the Spanish giants.
It remains to be seen whether Odegaard stays at Arsenal and signs a permanent deal. It will be dependent on what Arsenal, Real Madrid and the player decide at the end of the season when his loan spell with the Gunners comes to an end.
On being asked whether the 22-year-old’s move to Arsenal could become permanent this summer, Chris Wheatley said:
It is dependent on his performances over the next few months, but he has a good chance and looked bright when he came on Saturday.
Due to the pandemic and the the fact that Mesut Ozil left Arsenal permanently to join Fenerbahce after being at the club for eight years, the North London club had to think on their feet.
Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu Gaspar managed to get a deal completed to sign an attacking midfielder to compete alongside Emile Smith-Rowe.
With Joe Willock going out on loan to Newcastle to continue his development, it was important that Arsenal brought in some reinforcements and they did that rather successfully with the arrival of the Odegaard.
