Martin Odegaard is primed for another loan spell away from Real Madrid, with the EFL Championship set to be his next destination
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Real Madrid are looking to send Martin Odegaard on another loan spell this summer. The second tier of English football, EFL Championship is being touted as the next, temporary home for the Norwegian prodigy, with Aston Villa and Derby County among those interested.
Odegaard had initially burst into the limelight when he broke into the first-team setup at Stromsgodset at the nascent age of 13. His stock rose further when he made his international debut for Norway, aged 16. Unsurprisingly, several top clubs were after him, having followed his advent. But, Real Madrid won the race to sign him eventually.
The youngster arrived at the Bernabeu amid much fanfare and hype. But, after initially playing under the tutelage of Zinedine Zidane in Real Madrid Castilla, it became apparent that he had to be sent out on loan to a club playing lower level of football.
And so, Odegaard was hauled off by Real Madrid to Dutch outfit Heerenveen for an 18-month loan spell in January 2017. After initial struggles, the player did manage to settle down and become an important figure at Abe Lenstra Stadion, although a tally three goals and five assists in 43 outings leaves much to be desired.
Upon returning from his loan spell, it is believed that the player still needs more experience under his belt before he can establish himself in the Real Madrid first-team setup. Los Blancos are thus, scouring the possibility of sending Odegaard on another loan spell.
The EFL Championship is being seen as a possible destination for the teenager, with the physically demanding English football viewed as a way to continue his development. And, there is no dearth of interest in the Real Madrid starlet either, with Aston Villa and Derby County.
With the loaning window still open, several clubs are looking to take up the opportunity to bolster their squads. Villa and Derby are among those, with Odegaard open to departing from Real Madrid on a temporary basis as well, having recently iterated, “The important thing is to go to a team where I can play. A loan to another Spanish club is a good alternative, but right now I don’t know a whole lot.”
The arrival of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo was always going to make things tough for Odegaard. Still 19 though, Real Madrid still have belief in him, and rightly so. It now remains to be seen which club snaps him on loan, but for now, the destination seems to be Championship football.
