By Rob Worthington (Senior Writer)
Welcome one and all to the third edition of my weekly run-down of all the most reliable Arsenal related Winter transfer gossip. In terms of outgoings, its been a busy week for Arsenal with a number of players moving on. Mikel Arteta has confirmed the focus has now shifted to potential incomings.
There are three clear problem areas in the Arsenal squad linked to lack of depth. Understudies are required in goal, at left-back and in central attacking-midfield. The Arsenal hierarchy have two weeks to finish their business until the window slams shut once again until Summer.
Onto the rumours.
Incomings
Martin Odegaard
The big story for Arsenal fans over the course of the last 24 hours has been the news that a loan bid has been lodged for Real Madrid's Martin Odegaard. The 22-year-old has featured sporadically since his return to the Spanish giants after a loan spell at Real Sociedad and is looking to leave for play-time elsewhere.
Speaking of Sociedad, they are also said to be interested in bringing in Odegaard. Spanish journalist Kike Marin insinuated last night a deal had been reached between Sociedad and Real Madrid but James McNicholas and David Ornstein refuted that claim via The Athletic yesterday evening.
According to The Athletic, numerous clubs are interested in Odegaard. Edu enquired about the possibility of bringing him in on loan last week, a request which was rejected by Madrid. However, after the Norwegian asked to leave Real earlier this week, Los Blancos became more receptive to Arsenal's interest. A story to keep an eye on.
I compiled a thread on what Ødegaard would bring to Arsenal here, feel free to check it out.
Emi Buendia
Reports early in the window from Football.London's Chris Wheatley revealed Arsenal's interest in Norwich City's Emi Buendia, but little progress has been made regarding that potentiality since. With the Canaries in the middle of a promotion charge and thus reluctant to sell their star player, acquiring the player's services has appeared very difficult for Arsenal.
Yesterday, the reliable AFCBell on Twitter revealed Arsenal have therefore decided to drop their interest, for now. The Mail reported a similar story this morning. It's not outside the realms of possibility that Arsenal will re-address the situation regarding Buendia in the Summer. The Argentine is greatly admired by Mikel Arteta according to The Athletic.
Freddie Woodman
Swansea goalkeeper Freddie Woodman, on loan from Newcastle, appears to be a target of Arsenal's to replace the untrustworthy Alex Runar Runarsson as the club's no. 2 goalkeeper. Football.London's Chris Wheatley confirmed earlier this week that Arsenal have been tracking Woodman for 'several years.'
Wheatley continued that Woodman is one of a number of players on Arsenal's list for potential back-up goalkeeper recruits this month. The 23-year-old's father is the Arsenal under-23 goalkeeping coach which one would expect would help Arsenal's cause in the pursuit of Woodman.
Outgoings
Mesut Özil
It's all but confirmed now. After a seven and half-year stint at the club, Mesut Özil looks to have left Arsenal for Fenerbahçe. Özil himself has been posting pictures on social media which have shown him arriving in Turkey ahead of the move.
Mikel Arteta has revealed the 'quarantine situation' is what is causing the delay in the official announcement of his departure but expect it any day now. Interestingly, a deleted tweet from Chris Wheatley insinuated this morning that Özil's agent, Dr. Erkut Sogut, was the man leaking stories from Arsenal earlier this season.
Sokratis
Greek centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos has officially left the club after his contract was terminated by mutual consent. The defender was not registered in Arsenal's first-team squad this season as is now free to find a new club. It is unclear where he'll be moving next.
Thanks for the memories Sokratis, it's been a joy copying and pasting your last name from Google over the years!
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