Mikel Arteta eyes up Paulo Dybala as backup transfer target should they fail to get Martin Odegaard

Arsenal have identified Paulo Dybala as a potential transfer target for the summer, should they fail to agree terms with Real Madrid over a permanent deal for Martin Odegaard.

Odegaard settled seamlessly into life in North London after joining the Gunners on a temporary deal in January. As a result,  Mikel Arteta is eager to extend his time at the Emirates beyond this season. 

However, should Arsenal fail to agree terms with Real Madrid, they will look to sign Argentina international, Dybala, in the summer transfer window instead, according to Sport. 

Arteta has reportedly told the club's board that they must do everything in their power to keep Odegaard at the club.

However, Arsenal's hopes of landing Odegaard on a permanent deal beyond the season look to have taken a huge blow as Madrid are said to 'not even be contemplating' a permanent sale of the midfielder.

Odegaard also declared his desire to return to the Bernabeu, calling such an opportunity a 'dream'.   

Nevertheless, Arteta remains positive about the summer transfer window and says he would be 'delighted' to land Dybala as an alternative option - according to Spanish publication Sport.

The Arsenal manager will, however, have to fend off interest from Premier League rivals Tottenham and Chelsea for the midfielders signature. 

Tottenham are said to be the front-runners in the transfer race as Odegaard came close to joining the club on deadline day in 2019.

However, a deal never materialised due to complications over the player's image rights.

Which ever team Odegaard chooses to join will benefit from his presence, as Juventus' Vice President Pavel Nedved admitted the Serie A side have struggled without him this season.   

'We missed Dybala,' he said. 'I think he hasn't played more than 800 minutes with us this season.

'His presence would give us more options up front. He has one year left in his contract and I have nothing to add to what [Fabio] Paratici and [Andrea] Agnelli already said. Juventus will evaluate every opportunity in the market.'