Latest Transfer: Arsenal Open Talks Over Loan For Real Madrid Man

Arsenal Technical Director, Edu has reportedly begun discussions over signing Real Madrid playmaker, Martin Ødegaard, last week.

The Gunners are in conversations with the reigning La Liga champions over signing the 22-year-old on loan, according to MailOnline.

Edu reportedly began discussions over signing Ødegaard last week, with the Norwegian having stated he wishes to leave Santiago Bernabeu this January transfer window for more regular game time.

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Arsenal face competition from Real Sociedad - where Odegaard spent last season on loan - and Sevilla.

Leicester City were interested in the possibility of a loan deal for the Norway international when it first became clear that Madrid were prepared to let him leave - but after preliminary discussions, they decided not to pursue him.

Odegaard has struggled for game time under Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane this season, featuring just 12 times without scoring a goal.

Meanwhile, Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta says he is now focused on bringing players in during the transfer window after successfully trimming his "unmanageable squad".

The former Manchester City Assistant Manager was keen to offload players this month after being forced to leave the likes of Mesut Ozil and Sokratis Papastathopoulos out of his Premier League and Europa League squads due to registration restrictions.

He got his wish after Sokratis agreed to end his contract early on Wednesday, while Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba have also left the club on loan, and Ozil is set to join Fenerbahce.

Arteta says the second half of the window will now be about strengthening his squad, saying: "We are in that process right now.

"We've done the first part more or less and we are focusing now on the second phase.

"Obviously this market and the context makes it really difficult but we are looking at options and we will see what we can do."