Arsenal have completed the permanent signing of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid in a deal worth around £30million.
The Norway international spent six months on loan at the Emirates Stadium last season but returned to the Spanish capital earlier this summer hoping to convince Carlo Ancelotti he was worthy of a place in his first-team squad.
Odegaard, however, has been deemed surplus to requirements and has returned to north London hoping to kickstart a career in the settled environment his career has lacked to this point.
Arsenal’s attacking deficiencies were laid bare during their opening day defeat against Brentford last weekend, and Mikel Arteta must hope the Norway international can offer the sort of creativity that was sorely missing against the Bees.
The Gunners had explored the option of trying to prise England international James Maddison from Leicester, but found the Foxes’ £60m asking price too steep.
Arsenal also considered reigniting their long-standing interest in Lyon’s Houssem Aouar, but Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu moved decisively once they learned of Odegaard’s availability.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, despite the deal being completed well in advance of Friday’s midday deadline for registering players, Odegaard will not play any part against Chelsea on Sunday.
The club confirmed: ‘The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes and visa requirements.
‘Martin will not be available for Sunday’s match with Chelsea, and we await visa clearance before he will be available for selection.’
Odegaard’s arrival continues a massive summer of spending from the Gunners, who have already brought in Ben White in a £50million deal from Brighton, midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga and left-back Nuno Tavares.
