Real Sociedad respond to suggestions Real Madrid could ask for Martin Odegaard back early
Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay is confident the club will be able to keep loanee Martin Odegaard next season.
The Norwegian midfielder is currently on loan from Real Madrid, having joined last summer, and contracted to represent the Basque club until the end of next season. But so impressive has Odegaard been this season so far, many suggest Real Madrid could do with having the 21-year-old Norwegian back earlier than that.
What sparked the Odegaard to Real Madrid talk? Five things to know…
- Martin Odegaard joined Real Sociedad from Real Madrid in the summer on a two-year loan deal.
- But it is claimed by Spanish news outlet Marca that Madrid wish to bring Odegaard back this summer…
- …which may have to do with the fact Odegaard has created the second-most chances in La Liga this season (47).
- Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay is confident Odegaard will remain at the club next season.
- Odegaard continued a recent trend (see tweet below) by opening the scoring in Real Sociedad’s 4-3 win over Madrid in the midweek Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
In 20 La Liga appearances for Real Sociedad, Odegaard has recorded five assists to add to four goals. But perhaps the biggest moment of his campaign so far came against his parent club.
Real Sociedad and Real Madrid met at the Santiago Bernabeu in the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey on Thursday evening, giving Odegaard a chance to show the fans what they are missing in Madrid.
33% – Four out of twelve goals conceded by Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabéu this season in all competitions have been scored by Real Madrid's former players (Borja Mayoral, Willian José, Pablo Sarabia & Martin Odegaard). Claim#CopadelRey2020 pic.twitter.com/9hXAJz1G3x
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 6, 2020
The Norwegian opened the scoring for La Real in the 22nd minute, the first of four goals the away side scored in a 4-3 victory.
Amid claims from Marca outlining Madrid’s supposed plans to develop him as Luka Modric’s heir in midfield, the moment became a significant talking point.
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Real Sociedad president Aperribay is confident Real Madrid will stick to their agreement, though, and that Odegaard will remain in the Basque Country until 2021.
“Real Madrid are a gentlemanly club,” Aperribay told reporters.
“We signed [him for two years]… Odegaard has things very clear.
“We hope everything stays how it is. Having said that, he’s Real Madrid’s player, and if we have to talk, we’ll talk.”
Since making headlines in joining Real Madrid as a 16-year-old from Stromsgodset, Odegaard – now 21 – has come under a lot of pressure to perform at Los Blancos.
For now, he has made just two appearances for their first team, but the Norwegian appears to be dedicated to making it at Real Madrid, as shown by his muted celebration on Thursday night.
Odegaard joined Madrid from Norway’s Strømsgodset in 2015 after reportedly turning down interest from Manchester United and Liverpool.
His first senior appearance with Los Blancos saw him break a record that had stood for 31 years by becoming Madrid’s youngest-ever La Liga debutant aged 16 years and 157 days old. He would subsequently undergo loan moves with Heerenveen and Vitesse in Netherlands.
Real Madrid are back in action away to Osasuna in La Liga on Sunday.
