Martin Odegaard 'wanted to stay at Real Madrid' but 'expected a red carpet to a first-team place'... before boss Carlo Ancelotti handed Arsenal's £30m buy an exit after telling him there were EIGHT players fighting for his position

Martin Odegaard expected a straight route to the Real Madrid starting line-up this season before deciding to quit the Spanish giants for Arsenal, according to reports.

The 22-year-old completed a £30million move to the Emirates Stadium on Friday morning after enjoying a promising loan spell with the Gunners in the second half of last season.

Odegaard returned to Real for pre-season training but was told by Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti that there was healthy competition for places at the LaLiga giants and his spot in the team was not guaranteed.