Manchester City have reportedly joined Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal in the race to sign Martin Odegaard as manager Pep Guardiola eyes a long-term replacement for David Silva.
Winger Odegaard has impressed at Real Sociedad this season, where the 20-year-old is on loan from Real Madrid , and it emerged this week that the Red Devils and the Gunners are considering a swoop.
Now City are the latest European giant to show interest, with Guardiola keen to find a long-term successor for Silva, 33, who is expected to leave the Etihad at the end of the season after a glittering nine-year spell in Manchester.
The Spanish publication El Desmarque has claimed that the City boss has been keeping tabs on the midfielder's development in La Liga and has been impressed.
However it remains to be seen whether the reigning Premier League champions will be willing to meet Madrid's reported £60million price tag despite the player appearing just twice for the Bernabeu club in four-and-a-half years.
Odegaard was regarded as one of world football's brightest young talents as a teenager, and made the move to Madrid in 2015 from Norwegian side Stromsgodset at the age of just 16.
He struggled to make an impression at the Bernabeu, however, being sent on loans to Heerenveen and Vitesse, and has still made only two senior appearances for Madrid.
But he has impressed so far in his current loan at Real Sociedad, scoring two goals in seven La Liga appearances this season and wowing supporters with some impressive skills.
Amid the speculation of a big-money switch to England, however, Odengaard said he had no plans for a move outside Spain.
Speaking to ESPN he said: "My intention is to stay (at Socided) two years and I think that's important for me.
"I have had two seasons in a row where I have changed teams. To have some stability is good (and) this is a great club and hopefully we can get European football for next season.
"Of course I want to play there (Madrid) but I'm still young so I'm happy here at the moment."
