Arsenal News: Gunners Moving To Phase II Of Transfer Window Plans

Arsenal is moving to phase two of their January transfer window plans after unloading players like Mesut Ozil and Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

The Gunners are expected to focus on getting new help in the midfield position with Martin Odegaard believed to be one of them.

With Ozil and Papastathopoulos unloaded, Arsenal gets added financial flexibility to now hire new blood. The name of Odegaard has been mentioned as a possible target, someone the Gunners could land on loan.

However, head coach Mikel Arteta would not confirm the move who merely said that they are exploring their options, the Guardian reported.

“We’ve done the first part (shedding players) more or less and now we are focusing on the second phase. Obviously, this market and the context make it really difficult but we are looking at options and we will see what we can do,” the Gunners manager stated.

The transfer window will end on Feb. 1, hinting that Arsenal does not have the luxury of time. He mentioned they are looking at different positions but did not accurately elaborate on which names they are currently considering.

“We are looking at various positions because the movements we’ve made in this transfer window, with some players leaving the club, leave us a little bit short in certain areas,” Arteta stressed.

Though Arteta is keeping a tight lid on their target, Odegaard is undoubtedly the one being strongly linked to them.

In a report from the Athletic, Edu has allegedly been in talks for the Norwegian since last week. However, Real Sociedad is also in the mix for the services of the 22-year-old playmaker.

This belief was further spurred by Spanish outlet Sport. The report claims that Arsenal is nearing a deal that would see Odegaard arrive at the Emirates Stadium but on loan.

If the pursuit comes to fruition, he could give players like Emile Smith Rowe or even Kieran Tierney some friendly competition to spice up things in the Arsenal rotation.