Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay hopes on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Martin Odegaard will stay for a second season at the San Sebastian side.
Odegaard agreed a two-season loan in principle with Los Blancos last summer, but the accord is only verbal and Madrid could attempt to take back their player after his impressive form in the Basque Country.
"I believe he will stay – that's the hope we have," Aperribay told Radio Euskadi. "It will depend on the will of the people [involved].
"If Martin Odegaard stays at la Real (Sociedad), he will have to be convinced that it's the best option for next year.
"He knows what we want and Real Madrid too, but we have to be respectful with Odegaard and Real Madrid, because he is a Real Madrid player."
Aperribay went on to explain that the deal had not been formalised because LaLiga rules do not allow two-year loans to be signed, in order to protect players' development.
"He came for two years, but LaLiga don't do loans for two years and the second one has to be activated by the player," he said.
"Our hope is that he stays and we think he will stay."
