Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard has been praised by Real Madrid star Federico Valverde in the Daily Mail.
Odegaard and Valverde came through the ranks at the same time at Madrid, and although the Arsenal loanee is exactly the same age as the Uruguayan, he was an important figure in his development.
Valverde says that Odegaard really helped him to develop at the Bernabeu, and they still have a good relationship.
“I learnt a lot from him,” he says. “I was almost always with him. Although my English isn’t very good, his Spanish is brilliant. We spoke a lot. He is a magnificent player but he’s a great person too.”
Whether Odegaard will be a teammate of Valverde at Madrid next season remains to be seen, as Arsenal are trying to sign him.
Football London say that he is one of three signings that Mikel Arteta is desperate to make in the summer, with Arsenal keen to make his loan move permanent.
Odegaard has made a big impact since moving to the Emirates Stadium, and Valverde’s comments just go to show how respected he is.
The playmaker may only be 22-years-old, but he still wears the captain’s armband for his country, and Arteta has already praised his leadership skills.
The creator would surely make a wonderful addition over the long-term at Arsenal, but the Gunners are unlikely to have a free run to make the transfer, given the size of his impact in the Premier League.
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