Real Madrid Transfer News: Martin Odegaard, Gareth Bale, Alvaro Morata Rumours

Hamburg will reportedly try to lure Martin Odegaard away from Real Madrid on a permanent deal this summer, with the teenager failing to get first-team chances at the Santiago Bernabeu.

That’s according to Kicker (h/t Marca, translated by Jeffrey Boxer), who reported the German club will launch an ambitious swoop to land the talented 17-year-old, who has only featured for the senior team on one occasion. 

Bayern Munich are also said to be keen, although it’s suggested Real will look to loan the Norway international out to a La Liga team, with Espanyol, Rayo Vallecano and Getafe all linked. Odegaard has not scored a goal for Real Madrid Castilla in 31 appearances.

Still, there’s no denying the youngster has a lot of ability. Here’s a glimpse of what he is capable of offering:

When Odegaard joined Real after being courted by so many of Europe’s elite sides, it was a big surprise to many. After all, for all the gravitas Los Blancos have, they don’t have the best reputation when it comes to bringing through younger players.

As BreatheSport noted, while he’s earned a lot of money at the football club, minutes have been very scarce indeed:

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A year ago today, Martin Odegaard joined #RMFC. Since then, he's earned £4M & played 37 minutes for the first team. pic.twitter.com/99GBBTtTc0

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) January 22, 2016"

It’d still be a massive surprise if Real opted to move him on for good. Odegaard is still extremely young and has a long way to go in his development as a footballer. A loan move to another team in Spain would at least allow Los Blancos to see how he copes in the top fight and put them in a better position to assess the player’s future.

JOSE JORDAN/Getty Images

One star who looks unlikely to be going anywhere is Gareth Bale, with Marca having reported he could sign a new contract with the club this week.

“It's being reported in the Sunday Express that Madrid are keen to do the deal so as to fend off interest from possible Premier League suitors Manchester City,” it’s stated in the piece, translated by Jared Tinslay.

The Welshman has really kicked on this season after a disappointing 2014-15. Under manager Zinedine Zidane and predecessor Rafael Benitez, he’s been handed more responsibility, and while there have been some issues with injuries, the forward has been superb when on the field.

Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC summed up just how many different types of goals Bale scores after another winner from him against Real Sociedad on Saturday:

Last summer, talk of Bale potentially moving on from Madrid didn’t seem particularly outlandish. But he’s a player that’s grown into the iconic all-white jersey, and alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, he is a tremendous talisman for this team.

Elsewhere, reported Real Madrid target Alvaro Morata is said to be happy at Juventus, despite rumours of a return to the capital.

That’s according to Bianconeri director Beppe Marotta, who conceded that while Real do have an option to bring the player back, the Spain international wants to remain in Turin, per Mediaset Premium (h/t Jamie Styles of the Daily Star):

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Some situations, such as that of Morata, do not depend on us.

We want to keep the lad and have to discuss it with Real Madrid. His destiny also depends on Real Madrid's, as they are currently active in La Liga and the [UEFA] Champions League.

The player improved and grew a great deal with us, while he feels bonded to our club colours. He wants to stay with Juventus, but obviously Real Madrid have everything needed to change his mind.

"

Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images

Morata has come on a lot as a player since he moved to Juve in the summer of 2014, and for his own personal development, a return to Real wouldn’t be ideal.

As WhoScored.com noted here, after a difficult beginning to the season, the Spaniard looks to be back in form:

Admittedly, Real do need another centre-forward, as they don’t look quite as functional going forward when they can’t call upon Karim Benzema. Morata, who is more refined as a player than he was when making cameo appearances for Madrid, may find himself with more opportunities in a second stint at the Bernabeu. Still, he’d be down the pecking order.

It’s a fascinating situation for the 23-year-old, who will want to have a key role in a top side. At Juventus, he’s much more likely to do that than Real, although for the Madrid-born goal-getter, another shot at making it with his boyhood club could well prove to be too tempting to resist.