Norwegian teenage sensation Martin Odegaard is reportedly ready to snub Manchester United and Barcelona to join Liverpool.
The 15-year-old attacking midfielder, who plays for local outfit Stromsgodset, is arguably the hottest property in European football at the moment, and had become the youngest player ever to feature in a European Championships qualifier last week, when he came on as a substitute in Norway's 2-1 win over Bulgaria.
According to the Sunday People, both United and Manchester City hold an interest in Odegaard, who has already visited the training complexes of both Manchester clubs.
However, both Odegaard and his father Hans Erik are staunch Liverpool supporters, and hence the youngster will reportedly not sign for another Premier League club till he is sure the Reds are not keen on him.
The Express claims Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers does maintain an interest in the Stromsgodset midfielder, and could be weighing up an approach, though it is yet to be seen if the youngster's demands in relation to wages and assurances over playing time will be met by the Merseyside club.
Meanwhile, Scandinavian football expert and scout Fabrizio Bertuzzi had recently revealed that Barcelona are also keeping tabs on Odegaard as the Catalan club's chiefs feel the youngster possesses some qualities of both Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
"Odegaard is an interesting player in a highly respected team. He is a talented and creative midfielder but he has impressive maturity. He attacks down the left but can also play on the right or in the centre. I saw a similar maturity in Paul Pogba but he was 17 at the time, not 15," Bertuzzi pointed out.
"I am not surprised Barcelona are interested. He features a mix of both Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Despite being an adolescent he is almost a semi-god of football."
Meanwhile, Odegaard's reputation continues to grow as the teenager stole the spotlight once again on Sunday, scoring two goals as Stromsgodset beat Lillestrom 2-1 in the Norwegian Tippeligaen.
The 15-year-old broke the deadlock in the 21st minute with a superb individual effort, and got his brace in the 41st minute with another cool finish.
