Alvaro Odriozola could leave Real Madrid in the coming days and secure a return to his former club Real Sociedad, reports Mikel Recalde.
The right-back came through the ranks at La Real and established himself as one of the most exciting young full-backs in La Liga before securing a transfer to Real Madrid in the summer of 2018.
Odriozola’s €32 million switch to the Santiago Bernabeu has not worked out according to plans as he has failed to make the desired impact. After an 18-month period filled with struggles, he joined Bayern Munich on loan in January 2020.
After returning to Madrid in the summer, he spent the 2020/21 campaign warming the benches before signing for Fiorentina on loan last summer. The 26-year-old enjoyed a decent spell in Italy but is now back in the Spanish capital where he is seen as surplus to requirements.
Indeed, Carlo Ancelotti has Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez as his preferred options at right-back, while young Vinicius Tobias is also seen above Odriozola in the pecking order. So, with no space for him in the club’s plans, Real Madrid have been working hard to secure an exit for him.
A move to Premier League club Nottingham Forest was speculated, but nothing came of it. However, now, Odriozola could finally be on his way out of the Bernabeu, with a return to his former club Real Sociedad seemingly on the cards.
As per the report, La Real’s sporting director Roberto Olabe and head of recruitment Erik Brestos flew to Madrid earlier today and conversations over re-signing Odriozola are already underway. While chances are that it could be a loan deal, a permanent transfer is not ruled out.
The 26-year-old, for his part, would be open to returning to the Basque Country outfit. With three days left before the window slams shut, it remains to be seen if the operation is completed.