Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay claims that Norway attacker Martin Odegaard will stay at the club instead of returning to Real Madrid ahead of next season.

The 21-year-old joined Sociedad on a one-season loan deal last year with option to extend for another campaign.

Odegaard has been linked with a return to the Spanish Capital at the end of the campaign, but Aperribay believes Odegaard will stay at Sociedad.

"I think Odegaard is going to stay at Real. It is what I believe and the hope we have," he told Radio Euskadi on Tuesday.

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

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

The Norway international had netted the ball seven time and provided eight assists in 28 outings for Sociedad in this year’s campaign which was suspended due to coronavirus pandemic.

He helped Sociedad reach the Copa del Rey final, in which they are due to face Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao, but Aperribay is unclear when the decider could be held.