LUKA MODRIC could be the man sacrificed to give forgotten child prodigy Martin Odegaard his long-overdue break into the Real Madrid side, according to reports.
The Norwegian star, 21, is coming up to the halfway point of his two-year loan spell at Real Sociedad.
Martin Odegaard could be brought back in to the mix at Real Madrid from Sociedad and replace Luka ModricCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And he has been one of LaLiga’s standout players this term with seven goals and eight assists – including one in the 4-3 Copa del Rey win over Real Madrid in February.
His performances have helped Sociedad to fourth in the table and potentially a Champions League spot next season.
But it is understood Los Blancos have the option to recall Odegaard this summer and bring him back to his parent club a year early.
And with just one year left on his current deal at the Bernabeu, Marca believe Real Madrid may be willing to let Modric go and bring Odegaard into the fold.
Modric may have led Croatia to the World Cup final and won the Ballon d’Or in 2018 but his levels have dropped over the past 12 months.
The emergence of Fede Valverde has also contributed to the ex-Spurs man, who turns 35 in September, making just 14 league starts.
Ironically, arguably his best game of the season came against Odegaard’s Real Sociedad as he got two assists and then a goal in a 3-1 home win.
But now Zinedine Zidane may decide this summer is the time to move the veteran midfielder on and focus his attention on the long-term midfield options, such as Odegaard and Valverde.
Modric was linked with a move to Inter Milan last summer but now the MLS seems a more likely destination.
Wayne Rooney’s former side DC United were reportedly in talks with the Croatian but David Beckham’s Inter Miami are thought to be keen.
Odegaard, though, now looks ready to start fulfilling the potential he promised way back in January 2015 when Real Madrid signed him from Stromsgodset, a month after his 16th birthday.
He became Los Blancos’ youngest first-team player aged 16 years and 157 days when he came on for Cristiano Ronaldo in a 7-3 win over Getafe on the final day of the season.
The Norwegian did not start his first game until November 2016, though, and was shipped out on loan in early 2017.
He headed to the Netherlands by joining SC Heerenveen on an 18-month deal, then spent the 2018/19 season with Vitesse Arnhem before going to Real Sociedad this term.
The signing of Odegaard looked to be a failure and Carlo Ancelotti, who was in charge at the time, even claimed it was simply a PR stunt from club president Florentino Perez.
He wrote in his book Quiet Leadership: wrote: “When Florentino buys a Norwegian footballer, you simply have to accept it.
“Furthermore, the president decided that he would have to play three games for the first team as part of a PR exercise.”
But five years after originally signing and making his debut, Odegaard’s patience may yet still pay off.
Modric is out of contract in 2021 and could be set for a move to the MLS with Inter Miami
Odegaard signed in 2015 in a “PR exercise” transfer and made his debut aged 16 but is now on his third loan away from the BernabeuCredit: EPA
Cristiano Ronaldo teaches Real Madrid youngster Martin Odegaard new skills
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
