Barcelona Transfer News: Martin Odegaard Hopes Hit by Bayern Munich Report

Barcelona's hopes of signing Martin Odegaard appear to have suffered a major blow amid reports Bayern Munich are set to announce a deal for the Norwegian teenager.

According to Sport 1 (h/t 101 Great Goals), Bayern will confirm on Dec. 17 a deal has been agreed for Odegaard. The attacking midfielder turns 16 on that date and is then eligible to sign a professional contract.

Odegaard, who currently plays for Stromsgodset and made his debut for the club as a 15-year-old in April, trained with Bayern earlier in December.

"We will try very hard to sign him, and I think we have a good chance," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Bild (h/t FourFourTwo) last week. "He is an absolutely exceptional talent and a good guy, very mature for his age."

Odegaard has been linked with several of Europe's top clubs, with the Scottish Daily Mail's John McGarry reporting that Celtic, Manchester United and Liverpool were interested.

He is a Liverpool fan and, after recently training with the Premier League club, was quoted by Bild (h/t The Guardian and Daily Record's David McCarthy) saying, "Liverpool have always been my dream club. But I will not let this affect my decision when I choose a new club."

Celtic's Norwegian manager, Ronny Deila, is in no doubt as to the quality and potential of his compatriot.

"Martin is only 15—16 later this month—but he is very special," Deila said, via McCarthy. "Every time he gets a level, he takes it. His attitude is great, and he always wants to progress, to learn."

According to Sport (h/t Inside Futbol), Odegaard was next due to train at Barcelona's Ciutat Esportiva facility. He was also expected to train with Ajax in January.

But it now seems Barcelona have missed out on the chance to sign a player who has been likened to their current No. 10, Lionel Messi. He certainly has many characteristics which are similar to Messi.

Odegaard is a slightly built teenager and is capable of turning quickly away from opponents in the same way as Messi. He has plenty of tricks and is a hard worker. He also has an eye for a decisive pass, and his intelligent link-up play with team-mates made him appear an ideal fit for Barcelona.

It is also likely that, if he proved himself to be good enough, he wouldn't have had to wait long for the chance to play alongside the likes of Messi.

Instead, it is former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola who appears to have persuaded Odegaard that his future will be best served at the Allianz Arena. Odegaard, who made his international debut for Norway back in August, certainly looks the type of player who will fit into Guardiola's style of play.

As for Barcelona, it is not often that the club miss out on signing one of world football's most coveted young talents. They will now have to wait for the next big thing to come along and make sure that they get in much earlier before other clubs have the chance to take a look.