Leonid Slutsky has admitted that Liverpool made an offer for Martin Odegaard last year.
The Russian was manager of Vitesse Arnhem last season, where Odegaard spent the campaign on loan from Real Madrid. Talking to Voetbal International, he said that the Reds had made an offer for the Norwegian youngster, but instead he opted to join Real Sociedad on a temporary basis.
He explained: “He became one of the best players in the Eredivisie and had many offers in his pocket. Not only from Real Sociedad, but also from Liverpool and Ajax. It is an honor to have had a share in Martin’s growth as a footballer.”
Odegaard has been around forever, it seems – he made headlines as a 16-year-old when he moved to Real Madrid – but it was only last term when he really made a name for himself. In 39 matches for the Dutch club, he scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists, winning the club’s Player of the Year award in the process.
He has looked just as comfortable in Spain this time around with Sociedad. In 28 games there, he has seven goals and eight assists, helping the Basque side reach the Copa del Rey final as well. His 7.29 average WhoScored rating is the second-best amongst his teammates in La Liga as well.
Currently valued at £40.5m – as per Transfermarkt – Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards will be ruing their missed opportunity and his decision to snub them for a loan switch to the Spanish outfit. He is the one that got away.
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