Arteta refuses to rule out a loan move for Real Madrid's Odegaard

Published on: 21 January 2021

Mikel Arteta has refused to discuss a possible loan deal to bring Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard to Arsenal.

As reported by Sportsmail, Gunners technical director Edu began negotiations last week for the 22-year-old, but Arsenal face stern competition from Real Sociedad and Sevilla.

Odegaard is keen to leave during the January window to gain more minutes but Arteta would not be drawn on whether he could end up in north London.

'I cannot comment about players that play for different clubs,’ he said.

Arteta admitted he is looking for reinforcements but said this unique period made the club 'cautious' and 'careful' in their transfer business.

'We are looking at various positions because the movement we made in this transfer window with some players leaving the club leaves us a little bit short in certain areas. If we can we will do it, if we can't, we'll just keep going with what we have,' he said.

Sokratis, whose contract was cancelled, and Mesut Ozil are among those leaving a bloated squad which Arteta said had become 'unmanageable'.

Ozil, who had spent months in exile under Arteta, is heading to Fenerbahce but quarantine rules are delaying the completion of that deal.

'He's a great footballer, a really talented footballer, a player that's done a lot for the football club,' Arteta said.

'But at the moment I want to take the team in a different direction and if we had more options, maybe he was part of some plans.'

One player who Arteta remains determined to keep, however, is Folarin Balogun. The 19-year-old's contract is up in the summer and reports suggested he was close to agreeing a deal with a foreign club.

Arteta insists he is not aware of any developments. Instead he said competition for places is to blame for the forward's recent absence.

'Regarding his contractual situation with the club, I just want to convince him he has a future at the club, not sending the opposite message,' Arteta said.

'He's showing a real hunger and desire to be with us and we're trying to get something done because we want him to stay.'

Source: m.allfootballapp.com

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