MIKEL ARTETA has confirmed Arsenal will open transfer talks with Real Madrid over a deal for Martin Odegaard ‘in the next few weeks’.
The Norway international, 22, made his 20th appearance for the Gunners in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Brighton.
Odegaard, who joined Arsenal on loan in January, has been one of the few bright sparks in a disappointing season for Arteta’s side.
But he is now set to return to Real as his six months comes to an end.
However, Arteta has now revealed he is eager to re-sign Odegaard this summer.
And even though he is unsure whether a deal can be achieved, transfer talks are expected to begin shortly.
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Arteta said: “We have a very clear and strong opinion on what we would like to do.
“He’s not our player. We’ll have discussions in the next few weeks, but first of all we need to respect that he’s a Real Madrid player.
“We’ll have those communications. We’ve tried to make everything that we could to get Martin performing for the team, which I think he’s done.
“He has adapted really well to our way of playing and to our football. Hopefully we have given him the hope and the feeling this could be a good place for him.
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“[Confident Odegaard will stay?] I don’t know. It’s not in our hands, I don’t know.”
One man who looks certain to leave is midfielder Dani Ceballos, also on loan from Real Madrid.
He has failed to score one single goal in 40 games during his second spell at the Emirates.
And Fabrizio Romano claims Ceballos will not be given a third chance by the Gunners.
