Arsenal reach agreement with Martin Odegaard successor: report

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Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is about to get some competition in the Gunners' engine room

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is looking over his shoulder at the Emirates
Martin Odegaard is looking over his shoulder at the Emirates (Image credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal are close to bringing in a new creative spark for their midfield, as manager Mikel Arteta looks to improve on the team that finished second in the Premier League.

The Gunners' hunt for a prolific centre-forward is well-documented, but given that Arteta's side struggled to create chances last season, too, Arsenal may well be looking for creative impetus to help carve open low blocks.

Martin Zubimendi is joining imminently – but the midfield could well be remodelled ahead of the new campaign.

Arsenal target has reached 'definitive agreement' to leave

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been lambasted for failing to sign a striker in January

Arteta's side struggled creatively (Image credit: Getty Images)

In selling Emile Smith Rowe and loaning out Fabio Vieira last summer, Arteta left his side a little short in terms of playmakers last summer, compounded when Odegaard picked up an ankle injury on international break with Norway.

Arteta switching formations to accomodate both Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard, with teenager Ethan Nwaneri given responsibility, too – but Nwaneri still developing physically, he struggled at times as a no.8 and looked better suited on the right wing.

Ethan Nwaneri celebrates after scoring for Arsenal against PSV in the Champions League in March 2025.

Ethan Nwaneri had a lot of the creative burden last term (Image credit: Getty Images)

Now, Africa Foot claims that Arsenal are “close” to bringing in Bilal El Khannouss from relegated Leicester City, with Arteta a long-term fan of the Moroccan international.

El Khannouss was a bright spark at no.10 in an otherwise dire campaign and though he would not be tasked with starting for Arsenal every week, would be more than capable of deputising for Odegaard and perhaps replacing him one day.

FourFourTwo's Zach Lowy recently spoke to Fabio Vieira about his future, with the Portuguese coy over a return to North London – and a place could well open up within the squad, should he depart for good this summer.

“An agreement has reportedly been reached between Arsenal and the player’s agent.” Africa Foot says, adding, “The Gunners must now match Leicester City’s financial demands to finalise the transfer of the Moroccan international.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Matthijs de Ligt of Manchester United controls the ball under pressure from Bilal El Khannouss of Leicester City during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on October 30, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Bilal El Khannouss was relegated with Leicester City last season (Image credit: Getty Images)

FourFourTwo understands that Arsenal have more pressing priorities this summer, such as a new striker and the potential addition of another defender, given the injury issues at the club last season – but that El Khannouss is a favourite among the recruitment team and very highly thought of.

Transfermarkt values the 21-year-old at €28 million.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.