Barcelona Transfer News: Martin Odegaard Sabotage Rumours Emerge from Madrid

Real Madrid recently confirmed the signing of 16-year-old wonderkid Martin Odegaard, despite Barcelona's "very best efforts to prevent it from ever happening," according to Ruben Jimenez of Marca.

Jimenez suggests the Blaugrana tried to repeat the "Neymar debacle," in which they managed to secure the signing of Brazil's top prospect from under the noses of their fierce rivals. This wasn't possible, however, as noted by Jimenez:

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Azulgrana execs remained in contact with Stromsgodset's directors right up to the very last minute to offer them a deal to prevent Odegaard making the move to Real.

[...] However, Stromsgodset informed Barça that the deal was done and that there was no changing Odegaard's decision to play for Real Madrid.

"

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It's important to acknowledge Marca is based in Madrid. While it's quite possible Barca tried to sign Odegaard, it's questionable whether the Catalan club put more pressure on Stromsgodset than the plethora of other European elites linked with him.

Barca faced an immediate disadvantage when trying to lure the player. The club's current transfer ban means Odegaard would have been forced to stay in Norway until 2016 if he agreed to join the Camp Nou side. Jimenez suggests this situation was used as a bartering chip—allowing Odegaard to develop for a further year before making the move—but Madrid's offer sealed the starlet's future.

Los Blancos reportedly paid £2.3 million for Odegaard, who will set the club back a stunning £80,000 per week, noted by The Associated Press (h/t the Daily Mail). These costs are a marker of the side's commitment to his development and belief that the attacking midfielder will go on to be a world superstar.

Eurosport contributor Ben Snowball believes Odegaard's huge earnings could negatively impact his development:

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How is the Norwegian meant to focus on his evolution when he sees a mammoth five-figure sum enter his bank account every week? A teenager living a comparably sheltered life in Norway suddenly thrust into the glitz of elite football with temptations lurking around every corner.

It’s got the makings of a disaster.

"

It remains to be seen whether Madrid have captured a bargain or made a famous mistake. Odegaard is a technical player, someone who can achieve great things in La Liga, but he'll need to work extremely hard to make good on his overinflated hype.

He recently underlined his allegiance to Madrid when answering a question on Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi during Friday's unveiling:

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Odegaard is unlikely to make much of a splash in the Madrid first team this season, but he can develop under the watchful eye of Zinedine Zidane in the Castilla squad.

It will be interesting to see whether Carlo Ancelotti provides him with a cameo appearance in the senior squad, particularly if Madrid have little to play for at the end of the season.

Odegaard could develop into a regular burden for Barca, who will be hoping they don't come to regret missing out on one of the most highly-rated youngsters in years.