Liverpool is eyeing Real Madrid attacking midfield Martin Ødegaard, who is for sale this summer. The Reds previously tried to acquire the young Norwegian as a teenage sensation from Strømsgodset IF. However, the deal failed to go through at the time.
However, Ødegaard failed to uphold his reputation upon arrival in the Spanish capital. And the wonder kid hasn’t made any significant contributions during his time at the Bernabéu. According to sources, Liverpool isn’t too concerned about the player’s recent form and is interested in signing him for the right price.
While Real Madrid is asking for £43 million, the Reds aren’t the only club that is in the race. Chelsea has reportedly expressed its interest in the 22-year-old. This is barely surprising since Liverpool wants to bolster their performance from the centre line.
While Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League, they failed to reach the top 3 in the Premier League. Liverpool, on the other hand, had a fairly disappointing season with a bunch of injuries keeping them out of major contention. Nonetheless, both clubs must focus on improving performance if they are to match Manchester City’s current form and morale.
Speaking of morale, Jürgen Klopp has come up with a series of innovative measures to motivate the boys. A squad table tennis tournament, karaoke nights, and friendly quizzes are being held in what could be one of the longest pre-season camps in Klopp’s career.
Comparing the table tennis tournament to the Champions League, Klopp said, “I think the ping pong tournament is more difficult, and you need to be lucky to win”. As per the manager’s recollection, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Mohamed Salah will defend the doubles crown.
What’s on the Cards for Ødegaard?
Martin Ødegaard was sent out on loan to Arsenal last season by Zidane. While Zizou was never a fan of Ødegaard’s performance, the youngster managed to attract interest from several Premier League clubs. During his 14 appearances for Real Madrid, Ødegaard scored a single goal and 2 assists. Out of six Europa League appearances for Chelsea, the youngster scored once.
While Ødegaard’s stats aren’t impressive, his presence on the field tells a different story. His creativity and persistence at Arsenal saved the team on several occasions. Despite returning to Los Blancos, Ødegaard’s future with the club is uncertain. Although Carlo Ancelotti has replaced Zidane as the manager, Ødegaard must impress Ancelotti to secure his place on the playing side.
Ødegaard’s Future at Arsenal?
Despite interest from several Premier League and Spanish clubs, Arsenal is at the forefront of the race. And Ødegaard knows that the interest won’t be there for long. The youngster is keen on transferring if Real Madrid doesn’t need him in the squad. Moreover, Arsenal’s friendly history with Real should make the transfer process smooth.
While The Gunners are interested in Ødegaard, James Maddison is the first choice. However, Leicester City is asking for £70 million, which is way beyond what Arsenal is looking to spend. If they manage to rope in Madison, the club would no longer need Ødegaard’s services in the midfield. However, the future is still uncertain, and it’s difficult to predict the next course of action.
Liverpool Needs a Stronger Midfield After Failing to Acquire Malen
After losing the race to sign Donyell Malen, The Reds are looking for a replacement. According to Fabrizio Romano, Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri are behind the failure. While Liverpool was genuinely interested in signing Malen, the club failed to sell both Shaqiri and Origi in time to seal the deal.
Whether this was a financial decision or an issue with the homegrown quota is not entirely known. However, it’s still frustrating to lose a player who appears to complement the club’s requirements perfectly. Borussia Dortmund swept Malen for £25 million, and The Reds will be extremely disappointed in missing out on the opportunity if Malen continues his explosive streak at Signalna Park.
By :
Steven D. Thompson
