Football
Mike Whalley 9y

Martin Odegaard visits Liverpool as big clubs battle to sign teenager

Teenage midfielder Martin Odegaard has visited Liverpool's training ground as he considers a move from Norwegian club Stromgodset.

Odegaard had a run-out at the Reds' Melwood training base as part of the visit as he considers his future options, sources told ESPN FC.

The player, who will be 16 on Dec. 17, has made similar trips to Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United in the past.

He is Norway's youngest senior international, having made his debut aged 15 years and 253 days in a friendly against the United Arab Emirates in Stavanger on Aug. 27.

He then became the youngest player to feature in a European Championship qualifier when he appeared as a substitute in a 2-1 victory over Bulgaria on Oct. 13.

The midfielder has been accompanied on the trip to Merseyside by his father Hans Erik Odegaard, who played more than 200 league games for Stromgodset and is now assistant manager of Norwegian second-tier side Mjondalen.

Both are Liverpool fans, but the teenager told German magazine Sport Bild in November that he was considering several options.

"Liverpool have always been my dream club," he said at the time. "But I will not let this affect my decision when I choose a new club. It's all about finding the team that is best for me and for my development. That is not necessarily Liverpool."

In July, Odegaard senior told Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang that more than 30 clubs had asked about his son.

Speaking after Liverpool's 1-0 defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Nov. 4, Anfield manager Brendan Rodgers talked up the potential of Odegaard Jr.

"I know he's a big talent, to be playing senior football at 15 and in a competitive league," he said. "He's got wonderful ability and wonderful talent."

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