Arsenal are looking at a move for £26m Nabil Fekir this summer as an alternative to Martin Odegaard, according to a report in the English media.

ESP: Real Betis - Levante UD. La Liga Santander. Nabil Fekir of Real Betis during the La Liga match between Real Betis and Levante UD played at Benito Villamarin Stadium on March 19, 2021 in Sevilla, Spain. Copyright: Antonio Pozo/PRESSINPHOTO
ESP: Real Betis – Levante UD. La Liga Santander. Nabil Fekir of Real Betis during the La Liga match between Real Betis and Levante UD played at Benito Villamarin Stadium on March 19, 2021, in Sevilla, Spain. Copyright: Antonio Pozo/PRESSINPHOTO

Goal’s Charles Watts reports that Arsenal’s primary target for the summer transfer window will be to keep Martin Odegaard at the club. However, they’re also looking at Real Betis’ Nabil Fekir as an alternative.

If Real Madrid put their foot down on Odegaard, it’s really out of Mikel Arteta’s hands. So he needs backup options, and Fekir is reportedly one of them.

The midfielder has a £77m release clause, but Betis would only ask for around £26m. They need to sell some players this summer due to the pandemic and Fekir’s recent decision to change agents suggests he’s thinking about his next steps.

The Fekir-to-Arsenal rumour didn’t originate in England, with Spanish publications also reporting on it in the last few days. Mundo Deportivo claimed Fekir’s remarkable season hadn’t gone unnoticed by Arteta, who has already “asked for him”.

Fekir has three goals and six assists in 30 appearances this season, helping Betis reach the Copa Del Rey quarter-finals and sixth place in La Liga. He’s in strong form lately, with seven of his goal contributions coming in his last 10 league games.