Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland asked Arsenal talisman Martin Odegaard about Real Madrid, it has been revealed, as he gets set to choose his next club.
In-demand superstar Haaland is poised to leave Dortmund at the end of the season and a host of elite clubs, including Madrid, are keeping close tabs on his situation.
Carlo Ancelotti's side have been widely tipped as one of the favourites in the race for his signature, while they also face stern competition from Manchester City.
It is no surprise, then, that Haaland appears to be keeping his options open - leading to him speaking to his Norwegian compatriot about life at the Bernabeu.
While on international duty, Odegaard said: 'We are good friends so we talk about lots of things, like when I was there.
'So yeah we talked about it but it's not anything special.'
Odegaard arrived at Madrid from Stromsgodset while fresh-faced in 2015, but found himself shipped out on loan several times before he joined Arsenal.
Haaland, meanwhile, has been disrupted by injuries this season - although the red-hot frontman has still managed to score 23 goals in as many matches.
That means that his overall tally at the club stands at 80 goals and 21 assists in the 82 appearances since he joined them from Red Bull Salzburg in 2020.
Giants Manchester United and Barcelona are also keen on snapping up the ace, although both clubs look to be chasing a lost cause as it stands.
He will be available for £63million because of the release clause in his contract, and City are ready to make him the highest-paid player in England should he join them.
As Sportsmail has revealed, the reigning Premier League champions are frontrunners for the 21-year-old and personal terms have been discussed between both parties.
It was disclosed that Haaland would become the top earner in the top-flight, with an eye-watering salary in excess of £500,000 a week.