Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants Emi Buendia deal this month despite Martin Odegaard loan - 7M sport

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants Emi Buendia deal this month despite Martin Odegaard loan

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta would still like to sign Norwich's Emiliano Buendia this month despite the imminent arrival of Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid.


Posted Monday, January 25, 2021 by Express.co.uk

Arsenal could still pursue the signing of Emiliano Buendia from Norwich this month despite being set to land Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid, according to reports. Mikel Arteta and the Gunners are big fans of the Argentine playmaker.

Arteta has made one addition to his squad this month so far with Mat Ryan joining on loan from Brighton to serve as back up to Bernd Leno in goal.

But Odegaard is set to become Arsenal's second January addition in the coming days by joining on a six-month loan deal to add an extra option in the final third.

Arsenal are eager to ease their creative reliance on academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe and hope Odegaard can come in and share some of the burden.

The north London club also want left-back cover for Kieran Tierney, their only natural left-footed defender in the position, with Ryan Bertrand of Southampton one player liked.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta wants Emi Buendia deal this month despite Martin Odegaard loan
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta eyes Emi Buendia signing this month despite Martin Odegaard loan

But football.london say that despite Odegaard being set to join Arsenal, Buendia remains high on Arteta's list of targets.

So much so, it is possible Arsenal could make an approach for the player this month, although their finances are restricted and Norwich are determined not to lose an integral member of Daniel Farke's team.

Buendia has contributed seven goals and seven assists in 21 games to help Norwich sit seven points clear at the top of the Championship.

Playing entirely on the right wing, the 24-year-old has been the stand-out performer alongside striker Teemu Pukki as the Canaries bid for an immediate return to the Premier League.

Football.london cast uncertainty over Arsenal's ability to sign both Odegaard and Buendia this month but in an ideal world Arteta would recruit the duo and also a left-footed left-back.

Norwich, though, have repeatedly made it clear that Buendia is not for sale in the January transfer window, although there have been reports a £40million asking price has been put on the player.

Farke said this week of his star man: "He was not in my coaching office asking for something. He is a proper team-mate, concentrated in the training sessions and the last game.

"He is absolutely happy and knows he has a coach and team-mates who want him to be successful and love him.

"Nothing will happen. In this business you can never say 100 per cent guarantee, but I would label it 99 per cent.

"It makes no sense for any of my key players to leave at this moment. And it makes no sense for us as a club right now to sell any of my players.

"These players have the potential to play for one of the best clubs in this country, and Arsenal [are] definitely one of the best in this country and also Europe.

"They have the potential to play there one day, but it makes no sense in January. Let's be honest we are in a great position."

The German coach added: "If then there's a club that's really interested, a big club in this country or Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and they say 'you are our long-term solution', then there's always a deal possible and it's pretty likely, and we have to say 'come on' the player has outgrown the club. But not January. It makes no sense.

"Also for us we're not desperate to earn more money. Financially we are in a solid situation. We want to have success, and don't want to risk our chances to go back to the Premier League level.

"Also from a financial point of view it makes no sense to sell a player for £15-£20m.

"I think if there is a route for one of my best players, then it's definitely the summer. It's better for them, better for us, in the summer it could be a topic but in January I don't see any business."



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