Arsenal set to sign Martin Ødegaard from Real Madrid and target Ramsdale

Arsenal are close to agreeing a fee of around £34m with Real Madrid for Martin Ødegaard, with the Norway international set to sign a five-year deal at the Emirates.

Negotiations with the Spanish side are reaching conclusion having intensified in recent days and Ødegaard was omitted from their squad to face Alavés at the weekend. The 22-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan in north London and has been identified as a key target for both manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu, with Arsenal now set to sign the player who arrived at Madrid as a teenager in 2015 from Strømsgodset.

It is understood that Ødegaard has already agreed personal terms for a contract until 2026 having made only a handful appearances in the Spanish capital. He is known to have enjoyed his spell in north London, which brought 20 appearances, with Arsenal having sold Joe Willock to Newcastle last week in anticipation of the Norwegian’s arrival. Arteta also considered a move for Leicester’s James Maddison but opted to move for Ødegaard instead.

Arsenal are also still hoping to sign Aaron Ramsdale from Sheffield United and have reopened negotiations for the England Under-21 goalkeeper.