Arsenal’s midfield issues could potentially be resolved before their match against Chelsea this weekend as they make steady progress with a move for their former loanee.
Mikel Arteta’s side has been desperate to strengthen in the heart of the team, they headed into the window wanting a defensive-minded sweeper to play alongside Thomas Partey and either a creative midfielder or a ball-playing number eight.
They achieved the former in July when they signed Albert Sambi Lokonga from Belgian side Anderlecht.
However, they have faced plenty of difficulties when searching for their second midfielder.
Mikel Arteta has enquired about the availability of numerous players, with Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli and Real Madrid ’s Martin Odegaard the two most notable players.
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Though the club has had very different experiences when attempting to negotiate with the clubs, especially considering they were both on the market for the right price.
Arsenal ’s talks with Madrid recently for Odegaard have been smooth sailing, the club are happy to cash in on the 22-year-old and the Gunners are happy to cough up the €35m required to secure his signature.
According to The Athletic, the deal is all but finalised and also moving swiftly, which could mean the playmaker is available to play this weekend against Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.
Odegaard spent half of last season on loan in north London, scoring once and assisting two in 14 league appearances, with his energy and willingness to take on a man to create a chance drawing plaudits.
Arsenal’s experience in dealing with Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid has been very different to their conversations with Sassuolo over the last few months.
Locatelli was one of Arteta’s main targets when the window opened, but the Euro 2020 star was more fond of a move to Juventus.
In regards to the player, having grown up just a few hours away from Turin, it is easy to see why a move to Juve is a dream for him. But for the club, one could argue it is rather bizarre that they were keener to strengthen a side that they will be lining up against next season.
Last month, a Sassuolo news site claimed that despite Arsenal had tabled a bid of £34m, deemed sufficient by the club, for the midfielder.
However, the club were more willing to negotiate with the Old Lady, who had offered £12m less, due to the players’ demands and were certain they were going to decline the Gunners’ bid and not even attempt to persuade Locatelli that a move to the Premier League might be best.
Locatelli was announced as a Juventus player earlier this week, making a £30m switch to the most successful club in the history of Italian football.
Arsenal’s pursuit of him will be forgotten if they manage to secure Odegaard soon, and especially if he continues to adapt to life in England and can fulfil his potential that made him one of the most highly sought after 17-year-olds just five years ago.
However, given the way Brentford tore them apart in the first game of the 2021/22 season, it is going to take more than a creative spark in the final third to make them a more threatening force this year.
With under two weeks left of the transfer window, the club are running out of time to strengthen their squad and Arteta may come under pressure if they continue to underwhelm on the pitch.
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