Saints look set to snatch the latest prodigy in Europe from under the noses of the elite due to our reputation for developing young players.

Martin Odegaard is hot property, the 16 year old Norwegian is wanted by a host of top European clubs including Liverpool, Arsenal, Man Utd, Man City, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, all of whom have been courting him over the past few months.

However the teenager who has recently broken into the first team at Stromsgodset and won his first cap for the Norwegian senior team is rumoured to be about to snub all of them and head to St Mary's.

Sources in Norway are saying that Odegaard's preferred option would be a move to Southampton due to our reputation for developing and bringing on players.

Certainly he would get more of a chance for first team action than any of the above clubs mentioned and it perhaps says a lot about our reputation in Europe for this that players our interested in signing for us.

Perhaps money will conquer all because almost certainly the European super clubs will offer him big bucks to put pen to paper, but the reality is that if a player has confidence in his own ability then he will get the chance for it to shine far quicker than it will do almost anywhere else in the Premier League and a host of other European clubs.

Photo: Action Images

PatfromPoole added 22:47 - Dec 30 If we sign him, I'll eat my garage.
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IanRC added 23:05 - Dec 30 Good to hear we are linked with players of this calibre. Still a long shot but encouraging nonetheless.
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ashley007 added 23:49 - Dec 30 Watch his goals and skills 2014 video on Youtube...he is awesome! If he comes to Saints he will be there but a short time before being snapped up by one of the 'bigger' clubs...this boy is the new Eden Hazard!
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Norway72 added 01:01 - Dec 31 Hi! Unitedfan from Norway here. This rumour originates from an interview that the norwegian tabloid Verdens Gang had with Oliver Kay in The Times. He suggested that it would be a good move to sign for Southhampton. My self I think he would find it very hard to develop properly in a club like United or Real or similar places, so I agree that the Saints would be good for him. But as I mentioned above, this is only something mr. Kay thinks. I have not seen this rumour surface anywhere elsr in norwegian media/footballsites. Good luck anyway:)

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BarnetSaint added 08:51 - Dec 31 Cheers Norway72. We'd love him over here. He looks absolute quality and unlike the Real Madrid 's and man uniteds etc he will play and develop in our first team.
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SonicBoom added 09:23 - Dec 31 Other prodigys have broken into first teams quickly anyway. Look at Rooney and Ronaldo. If he's that good he could break into a top side.
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