The President Of Sociedad Who Was So Sure Odegaard Would Not Return To Madrid

Martin Odegaard (Instagram @ odegaard.98)

JAKARTA - Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay believes Martin Odegaard will stay at Anoeta instead of returning to Santiago Bernabeu.

Odegaard, 21, joined Sociedad on loan for one season last year. Reportedly, in the deal there is an option to be extended for the next season.

Recently, the Norway international has been linked with a return to the Spanish capital, but Aperribay is confident Odegaard will stay at Sociedad.

"I think Odegaard will stay at Real. This is what I believe and hope we have," he told Radio Euskadi on Tuesday. Launching Football Espana, Wednesday, June 10.

"When you stay at Real (Sociedad), if you stay, you have to be convinced, like when he came last year. Confident that it is the best option for next season.

"The decision is up to him and I think he will stay."

Odegaard scored seven goals and provided eight assists in 28 games this season before the competition was suspended due to the COVID-19 crash three months ago.

He helped Sociedad reach the final of the Copa del Rey and will face Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao. However, Aperribay does not know for sure when the deciding party can be held.

"It's not easy to arrange the final in such a short time. I see it as impossible. We have no knowledge of any dates,"

President of Real Sociedad Jokin Aperribay

"It's not easy to imagine that scenario now - a final with an audience before the end of the season."