Report: Arsenal to sign Madrid's Odegaard on loan until end of season

Real Madrid outcast Martin Odegaard is joining Arsenal on loan until the end of the season, according to The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano.

The Gunners will reportedly cover Odegaard's salary for the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign.

The deal isn't expected to include an option to buy.

A negative COVID-19 test would exempt Odegaard from serving a period of isolation and allow him to train immediately, The Athletic's David Ornstein adds.

Odegaard apparently preferred a move to Arsenal over a return to Real Sociedad, where he spent the 2019-20 season on loan. Sevilla were also considered a possible destination.

Madrid recalled the Norwegian last August, midway through his two-year loan spell at Sociedad. But the 22-year-old made little impact upon his return to the Spanish capital, starting just five times in all competitions under Zinedine Zidane.

The Frenchman has faced criticism for showing too much loyalty to Madrid's veteran players, especially at critical points of the season.

Los Blancos already sent 21-year-old playmaker Brahim Diaz to AC Milan on a deal until the end of the season, and just last week, the club allowed 23-year-old striker Luka Jovic to rejoin Eintracht Frankfurt on a temporary basis. Jovic has scored three goals in two matches with Frankfurt - more than he managed in one-and-a-half seasons for Madrid.

Odegaard is now preparing for his fourth different loan spell after spending time at Heerenveen, Vitesse, and Sociedad. He'd give Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta another creative outlet alongside budding midfielder Emile Smith Rowe, while also cushioning the blow of Mesut Ozil's exit.