Florentino Perez gets his Odegaard revenge on Arsenal

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is reportedly refusing to do business with Arsenal this summer after the Premier League side pulled out of the European Super League.

This could have a devastating impact on Arsenal’s hopes of signing Martin Odegaard permanently this summer, according to The Sun.

Odegaard joined Arsenal on loan from Madrid in January until the end of the season.

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The Norwegian attacking midfielder has had a positive impact on north London, and the Gunners are keen to make the transfer permanent for around £25 million this summer.

However, Perez is furious with Arsenal – along with the other Premier League sides – for pulling out of the European Super League.

Martin Odegaard: Arsenal stats – 2020/21

Perez – along with Juventus supremo Andrea Agnelli – had been the main ringleader in organising the breakaway league which launched a week ago.

Twelve teams initially signed up for the project, including the Premier League ‘Big Six’, Juventus, Inter, Milan, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

However, within 48 hours of its launch, the Super League spectacularly collapsed.

This came about due to massive fan unrest in England – as well as government pressure – with the Premier League teams all pulling out on Tuesday.

They were soon followed by Atletico Madrid, Inter and Milan, although Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are still standing by the project.

Perez is understood to be furious with what he considers to be a betrayal from the English clubs and is considering legal action.

“I don’t need to explain what a binding contract is. But come on, the clubs cannot leave,” Perez told AS.

“Some, under pressure, have had to say that they are leaving. But this project or another very similar one will go ahead, and I hope soon.”

Perez is so angry with the Premier League sides that he is, according to The Sun, refusing to do any transfer business with the ‘Big Six’ this summer.

This means that Arsenal’s hopes of signing Odegaard have gone up in smoke.

Whether or not Perez will carry through with his threat remains to be seen, especially given Madrid’s financial situation.

The Blancos have debts of €900 million and need to sell players.

With the Premier League the likeliest league to help them ease their economic burdens, can Perez really afford to say no?