Arsenal have reportedly made contact with Real Madrid over the possibility of signing playmaker Martin Odegaard but face strong competition from Real Sociedad.

According to a report from Sky Sports, Premier League giants Arsenal have made an approach to Real Madrid as they assess the possibility of landing Norwegian starlet Martin Odegaard in the January transfer window.

Having shot to fame as a teenage prodigy at Norwegian outfit Stromsgodset, Odegaard made the switch to Real Madrid in the summer of 2015 itself. However, the playmaker has had to wait for his time to make an impact at the first-team level for Los Blancos.

Odegaard has spent time out on loan at Heerenveen, Vitesse Arnhem and Real Sociedad, with the latter in the 2019/20 campaign, seeing him establish himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in La Liga. Having returned to Real Madrid though, the 22-year-old hasn’t been accorded enough game time by manager Zinedine Zidane.

Indeed, Odegaard has featured just nine times across all competitions so far in the 2020/21 campaign, failing to score or assist a single goal. This is in stark comparison to his exploits with Sociedad last term, when he had accrued a tally of seven goals and nine assists from 36 appearances.

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Unhappy with his situation, Odegaard is angling for an exit on loan from Real Madrid this month, putting Arsenal on high alert. The Gunners have struggled with a lack of creativity in the final third this season, having exiled Mesut Ozil from the first-team, which impacted their results in the first half of the campaign.

However, things have certainly improved for Mikel Arteta’s side over the past few weeks ever since Emile Smith Rowe has been integrated in a prominent fashion into the starting lineup. The English youngster has been one of Arsenal’s best players in recent matches and has taken over the creative mantle upon himself.

However, given his lack of experience at the highest level and the lack of depth in the No. 10 role, adding another creative midfielder would make a lot of sense for Arteta & co. A number of players like Julian Draxler, Julian Brandt and Emiliano Buendia have been linked with a move to the Emirates in recent weeks.

But, with Real Madrid likely to grant Odegaard’s wish to leave before the end of the month, Arsenal have turned their focus towards the Norwegian international and have made contact with the La Liga champions over the possibility of a switch.

However, they will face competition from Real Sociedad, who are keen on taking Odegaard on loan for another stint, while a slew of Premier League clubs are also said to be interested in the 22-year-old. It remains to be seen if Arsenal are successful in their endeavours to land the Norwegian before the mid-season trading period closes.

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