Ornstein claims Tottenham were offered Arsenal-bound Odegaard

Add as preferred source on Google

David Ornstein has told his podcast on The Athletic that Arsenal-bound Martin Odegaard was offered the chance to join Tottenham Hotspur – among Leicester City, Real Sociedad and numerous other clubs.

Odegaard, 22, is set to complete a loan move to Arsenal in a deal that does not complete a permanent clause. He has managed just five minutes of action for Real Madrid since November, despite a stunning campaign with Sociedad last term.

Fabrizio Romano – among others – have confirmed a deal is done, but nothing has been confirmed as of yet. It sees the 25-time Norway international set to rival academy product Emile Smith-Rowe for a place in the starting line-up.

Speaking on his latest podcast, Ornstein claimed that Odegaard has joined Arsenal and an announcement is imminent – with Edu and The Gunners moving quickly and “decisively” to win the race for the ex-Vitesse loanee.

“There were some other clubs who were offered him, in talks with him,” Ornstein said. “Real Sociedad again, Leicester I think might have had him mentioned, Spurs and a couple of others – but Arsenal moved pretty decisively. Edu has done a good job.”

TBR’s view – Odegaard best served to join Arsenal over Spurs

Dele Alli will be the first to tell him that. The England ace has been sidelined by Jose Mourinho, with Tanguy Ndombele and Gio Lo Celo preferred in the attacking midfield role ahead of Moussa Sissoko and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Spurs hardly need a number 10, then. Arsenal, meanwhile, have let Mesut Ozil go and need cover – or competition – for Smith-Rowe. Even if Odegaard had the choice, joining Arsenal would have been the best move over Spurs.