Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Alexander Isak and Martin Odegaard

Real Madrid still reportedly hold an interest in AIK prodigy Alexander Isak despite having a bid for him turned down.

According to Expressen (h/t AS), Los Blancos had an offer of €8 million (£7 million) batted away for the 17-year-old, although it's suggested the European champions remain the favourites to secure the prospect.

In the report, it's noted that as well as Real, Chelsea, West Ham United and Bayern Munich are also interested in signing the forward, who has drawn comparisons with his compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 

This season, Isak has been in wonderful form, netting 10 times already in the Allsvenskan. Here is a look at why so many are excited about his potential:

According to the report, Madrid are not ready to give up in the chase for the striker quite yet and will most likely return with a bolstered bid in January.

It's no surprise so many huge names in European football are looking at Isak, as he possesses all the tools needed to become a tremendous striker. Physically, the Swede is already mature enough to bully defenders, while he has already shown an ability to score many different kinds of goals.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe recently took a closer look at the stylistic traits the youngster has in his game:

Madrid carry an allure, and for a youngster like Isak, the prospect of a move to the Santiago Bernabeu would be appealing. However, it's suggested in the piece that he's content at his current club, where he is continuing to progress at a impressive rate.

That must be a key factor in any decision the youngster makes about his future. Isak will now have a taste for top-level football, and if he were to move to the Liga giants, he'd be a long way down the pecking order given the attacking quality available. Finding that balance is key when determining what step to take next in what should be a glittering career.

Martin Odegaard Set for Stade Rennais

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Real Madrid tyro Martin Odegaard is reportedly set to join Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais on loan in January, after he was spotted in attendance at their clash with Saint-Etienne over the weekend.

That's according to Ouest-France (h/t Pete Jenson of the MailOnline) who reported the youngster was at the match alongside his father. It's noted the French outfit tried to sign the 17-year-old on a temporary basis in the summer, although it now looks likely they'll get their man midseason.

Odegaard joined Los Blancos in 2015 after a scramble between some of Europe's elite clubs for his signature, although minutes in the senior setup have been hard to come by. Here are some of the teenager's best moments with the Real Madrid Castilla team:

As noted by Ed Malyon of the Daily Mirror, it was only recently the Norway international made his first senior start for the club:

A loan move would be ideal for Odegaard at this stage in his career. Having acclimatised himself to Madrid and turned in some impressive displays with Castilla, a move out of his comfort zone into an unfamiliar league will only enrich his development as a footballer.

At the Bernabeu, Zinedine Zidane does have a lot of competitions to negotiate in 2017, with Madrid on course to challenge for La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. But even with so many matches on the calendar, it's tough to see Odegaard featuring too prominently in the senior side if he were to stick around for the duration of 2016-17.