This archive report was first published on 19 August 2021.
On August 19, 2021, Arsenal confirmed that Martin Ødegaard would be returning to the club on a permanent deal, marking a significant development in the transfer market.
The negotiations for Ødegaard's transfer were at an advanced stage, with the fee expected to be finalized within a few hours. His contract with Arsenal is set to expire in June 2026.
Meanwhile, Chelsea officials were working to sell Emerson Palmieri, with Olympic Lyon advancing in talks with the club. However, Napoli was also interested in the player and hoped to make a proposal in the next few days.
Chelsea was also in negotiations with Fiorentina over a potential transfer for Zappacosta, with Atalanta serving as a plan B.
Manuel Locatelli had completed his medical and signed a contract with Juventus, which would see him join the club on a two-year loan with a buy obligation in 2023 for €35m.
Barcelona, on the other hand, had ruled out any interest in Pierre Aubameyang, stating that he was not a target for the club and that there would be no swap deal involving Philippe Coutinho.
