Inside Jurgen Klopp's transfer talks with Martin Odegaard and why he failed to sign him

As Liverpool instrumentality connected Arsenal successful a blockbuster Premier League clash, Mirror Football reflects connected however Jurgen Klopp tried to motion Martin Odegaard, who the Gunners volition beryllium without astatine Anfield

The signing of Martin Odegaard is 1 of the astir important milestones successful Mikel Arteta’s gyration astatine Arsenal.

A fresh-faced Odegaard, past 22, archetypal joined the Gunners connected indebtedness from Real Madrid successful January 2021 portion the northbound London nine was astatine stone bottom. His transportation was made imperishable that summertime and his large leadership, quality and creativity rapidly earned him the captain’s armband by the commencement of the 2022/23 season.

His value to Arteta’s task goes acold beyond his 31 Premier League goals and 23 assists for the Gunners, with his caller lack owed to wounded showing conscionable however reliant Arsenal person go connected the Norway skipper. Despite revealing that helium is “getting closer” to a instrumentality earlier this week, Sunday’s apical of the array clash with Liverpool volition travel excessively aboriginal for Odegaard.

While Arteta volition deservedly get the recognition for taking a accidental connected his untapped imaginable 3 years agone erstwhile his erstwhile wonderkid presumption was fading, Liverpool’s ain legendary manager Jurgen Klopp had besides eyed the talented midfield magician astatine 1 stage.

Prior to Odegaard’s determination from Strømsgodset to the Santiago Bernabeu, past Borussia Dortmund manager Klopp tried to motion the 15-year-old talent. Like galore of the elite European clubs interested, however, the German failed to lucifer Real Madrid’s unsocial allure.

Klopp, speaking successful 2022 up of a clash with Arsenal, said: "I spoke to him erstwhile helium was 15 successful Norway and the full world wanted to motion him. He became the subordinate everybody expected astatine that time."

Klopp had, successful akin vein, revealed his admiration for Odegaard earlier that week. To the delight of Arsenal fans everywhere, Manchester United were different nine who failed to motion Odegaard – connected 2 occasions.

Their pursuit of the playmaker began erstwhile helium was conscionable 14. Back successful 2013, erstwhile David Moyes was inactive manager, United invited Odegaard to walk immoderate clip astatine the club's Carrington grooming ground. Despite his evident talented talents, United decided to hold 12 months to spot however Odegaard had developed, which proved to beryllium a immense mistake.

In the meantime, Odegaard accelerated became 1 of the astir sought-after teenagers successful European football. By the property of 15, helium was the youngest subordinate to marque his elder planetary debut with Norway and recovered himself the people of immoderate of the biggest clubs connected the planet.

United faced contention successful the signifier of Bayern Munich – managed by Pep Guardiola astatine the clip – Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Celtic and adjacent Arsenal, with erstwhile manager Arsene Wenger admitting they “fought similar mad” to get him aft helium showed similarities to a young Cesc Fabregas during a grooming session.

Barcelona were besides funny and invited Odegaard, whose idol was Lionel Messi, to ticker a location crippled against Cordoba successful 2014. He was deemed truthful bully that past United manager Louis van Gaal was sent to Norway to conscionable him face-to-face.

The Dutchman's purpose was to transportation Odegaard that United was his champion option, but was near stunned erstwhile the youngster insisted 1 of his conditions was helium wanted to bid with the archetypal squad from time one. Odegaard wanted to larn from the champion consecutive away, but Van Gaal refused and the woody was dormant successful the water.

While United person lone faltered since then, Liverpool – adjacent aft Klopp’s departure successful the summertime and Arne Slot’s assignment – person gone from spot to strength. The Reds presently pb the Premier League array aft 8 matches, 4 points successful beforehand of Arsenal up of their pivotal Emirates Stadium clash.

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