Arsenal target Martin Odegaard to replace outcast Mesut Ozil

Arsenal are “lining up a bid” for Real Madrid playmaker Martin Odegaard.

The Sun claims that Arsenal head coach Unai Emery wants the Norwegian to replace Mesut Ozil in his squad.

Emery appears to have called time on Ozil’s Arsenal career, picking him only for the Carabao Cup or Europa League, and he’s actively seeking a young talent to take the German’s place in the dressing room.

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One for the future

According to Spanish outlet El Desmarque, Emery has identified the 20-year-old Odegaard as a star for the future.

Currently on loan at Real Sociedad, Odegaard has been on fire this season and was recently named the club’s player of the month for his creative role in lifting them to fifth in the La Liga table.

But he won’t come cheap with the Sun reporting that Real Madrid are likely to ask Arsenal to hand over £71m in exchange.

Ozil fears

However, the Daily Mirror reports that Arsenal “fear they will be unable to offload £350,000-a-week outcast Ozil in January” because he will refuse to be loaned out.

The paper says that Emery wants to get shot of the 30-year-old but “his huge wages are set to be a stumbling block”.

So desperate are the Gunners to send Ozil on his way, says the Daily Mail, that they “would be willing to pay part of his wages to pave the way for his exit”.

Szoboszlai scouted

Another young playmaker on Arsenal’s radar is teenage sensation Dominik Szoboszlai, with the Daily Star one of several papers to claim the the Red Bull Salzburg midfielder is being tailed by Unai Emery.

Apparently Arsenal will have scouts at Anfield on Wednesday evening to watch the 18-year-old in action for Salzburg against Liverpool in the Champions League.

The Sun alleges that Arsenal “tried to strike a deal with Salzburg last summer without success”, but they will be back in January and could get their man if they are prepared to meet the £15m asking price.

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