Arsenal have made an approach to sign Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid on loan for the remainder of the season as their manager Mikel Arteta looks to boost his options this month.
The 22-year-old playmaker scored seven goals and laid on nine more for his teammates in 36 matches while on loan at Real Sociedad last term and it's believed La Real are also keen on signing Odegaard in this window.
Arsenal have trimmed their squad in recent weeks with Sokratis and Mesut Ozil both terminating their contracts and Sead Kolasinac and William Saliba leaving the Emirates on loan.
Arteta says it was important to reduce their wage bill before seeking to bring in reinforcements.
"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.
"We are looking at various positions because the movements we have made in this transfer window, with some players leaving the club, leaves us a little bit short in certain areas.
"So if we can, we will do it, and if we can't, we'll just keep going with what we have."
