Two weeks ago, Norwegian prodigy Martin Odegaard began training with Real Madrid. The 16-year-old traveled with his father and agent to the Spain capital in order to tour the club’s facilities and to take part in sessions with Castilla (Real Madrid’s reserve side). The teenager also spent time with members of the first-team coaching staff and as well as some senior squad players.
According to the Spanish publication AS, Madrid are preparing an offer of approximately 4 million euros (£3.3 million) for the highly-rated attacking midfielder and it is believed that Odegaard’s current club, Stromsgodset, will sign-off on the transfer this week. The only true negotiating point left in the deal are the player’s personal terms, which are not expected to be difficult since Odegaard has told his father and agent that he wants to join the ten-time champions of Europe.
The Norway international has been chased by a list of European clubs including: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal. It was understood that Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were the two main competitors for the player’s services. Pep Guardiola had reportedly given the Bundesliga champions the green light to sign Odegaard and the club was willing to make the teenager the highest-paid youth player in the history of the sport.
But it is understood that Real Madrid have won the race for the teenager’s signature. Odegaard met with club president Florentino Perez, trained with the team under the instruction of Zinedine Zidane and attended a few matches as the club’s special guest. All of which has played a role in swaying the 16-year-old to sign with the Spanish giants.
The Spanish publication Marca is reporting that Hans Erik Odegaard (Martin’s father) will move to Madrid and the club has also offered him a job with its youth academy. The elder Odegaard is a former Norwegian football player and was later an assistant coach for Mjondalen of the Tippeligaen (Norway’s top professional league).
Expect more news on this developing story in the coming days.
