Arsenal step up talks with Real Madrid over Martin Odegaard return

The Norwegian impressed Mikel Arteta during a loan spell with the Gunners last season.

Midfielder Martin Odegaard has joined Arsenal on loan (Reuters)

Arsenal and Real Madrid are in talks over an Emirates Stadium return for playmaker Martin Odegaard

The 22-year-old spent the second-half of last season on loan with the Gunners, where he did enough to impress manager Mikel Arteta

Arsenal, who finished eighth in the Premier League last year, have been keen to add a number 10 to their ranks over the course of the summer.

As well as Odegaard, they have been linked with moves for Leicester’s James Maddison and Houssem Aouar of Lyon.

But now it appears a return for Odegaard is the most likely outcome, with the PA news agency understanding talks have opened between Arsenal and the Spanish giants.

Odegaard left on a temporary move last January having failed to break into the Madrid team under Zinedine Zidane but has also been unable to convince Carlo Ancelotti of his talent this pre-season.

This time the move to Arsenal could be a permanent one, especially with the Premier League club about to sell Joe Willock to Newcastle to raise any additional funds to make the deal happen.

Norway international Odegaard made 20 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal last year, scoring twice.