Arsenal Set To Back Down From Sealing Martin Odegaard Transfer

Arsenal are reportedly afraid Martin Odegaard’s transfer fee could soar to £50million as Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool eye the 22-year-old.

Mikel Arteta’s side hope to sign Odegaard on a permanent deal this summer – although Real Madrid refused to include an option for the Gunners to buy him outright as part of the loan agreement.

But even if the La Liga giants do agree to sell the No10, a bidding war could ensue, with Chelsea and Liverpool among those interested, as revealed by the Daily Star.

That would make it difficult for the Gunners to compete with their Premier League rivals, as well as the likes of PSG who are also believed to be keen on the attacking midfield star.

However, Arteta is said to be optimistic that the faith he has shown in Odegaard since signing him in January means Arsenal will be at the front of the queue to land him on a permanent deal.

Madrid, who already valued Odegaard at £30million when they loaned him to the Gunners, may decide to keep the Norway international and give him another chance to break into Zinedine Zidane’s first-team plans.