Real Madrid Transfer News: Martin Odegaard 'in the Bag', January Deals Unlikely

Martin Odegaard is a "step away" from committing his future to Real Madrid, according to Jose Felix Diaz of Marca.

Diaz suggests a five-year contract and promise of first-team football ensures the Norwegian starlet's signature "is in the bag," adding:

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The suits at the Bernabeu don't want to leave anything left to chance that could make the whole deal fall through. Florentino (Perez) doesn't want another Neymar fiasco and is prepared to equal any offer that Stromsgodset may offer.

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Earlier reports indicated Liverpool had gained an edge in the hunt for the 15-year-old's services. Odegaard is a self-confessed Reds fan, something the club hopes "will give them the edge over Manchester United and Real Madrid," according to Liam Prenderville of the Daily Mirror.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

He was also spotted having dinner with Philippe Coutinho on Wednesday, as reported by AS, prior to being involved in Liverpool training on Thursday.

Although "most" of Brendan Rodgers' first team were given the day off, centre-back Kolo Toure admitted he was impressed with the player after seeing him in action.

Toure's comments were reported in a news piece by Norwegian station TV2 (be sure to turn English subtitles on):

Odegaard is able to ink his first professional contract when he turns 16 on Dec. 17. This means he has 12 days to mull over his future in what is likely to be a key decision for the progress of his career. He is a confident player, someone who oozes creativity and possesses the technical skill to be successful in England or Spain.

His entertaining style of play is highlighted below:

Madrid's insistence on getting the deal wrapped up stems from Perez missing out on Neymar, who eventually joined Barcelona, despite the Brazilian training with Los Blancos' youth sides.

Diaz says this "cannot be repeated."

However, SkyBet writer Jamie Casey believes Liverpool remain favourites to land Odegaard.

Carlo Ancelotti is expected to go on a recruitment drive for young talents after Christmas. He is looking to "splash the cash to snap up the best prospects," according to an alternate Diaz article. A €3.7 million deal for Mallorca's Marco Asensio was widely expected, but Barca's reported interest has allegedly pushed the selling club to hold out for more money, per Football Espana (h/t Eurosport).

Ancelotti recently confirmed no signings will be made in January, meaning Asensio and any other deal will need to wait until the summer, per Nicholas Rigg of AS:

This would still leave room for Odegaard's potential December switch. Five goals in 23 Tippeligaen matches, per WhoScored.com, would place the developing star among the most exciting players in Madrid's already impressive academy.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague detailed the European champions' emerging stars in a recent chat with B/R UK's Ryan Bailey:

Speculation around Odegaard's future is likely to step up in the next few days. It's curious why Marca, a Madrid-affiliated publication, would produce an article so sure of Odegaard's capture during his time with Liverpool.

A huge part of the player's footballing identity and style will be developed at his next club, so there's no doubt the Premier League side offer quite an allure considering his prior allegiance to the team.

It is refreshing to see Madrid target youngsters, however, as the need for match-ready signings is largely over. Ancelotti and his backroom staff would be wise to focus on developing potential now UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules are tightening, providing Madrid with less of a need to always hunt marquee names.

In years to come, Odegaard could prove to be exactly that for whoever convinces the teenager to sign his first headline-grabbing contract.