La Liga giants Athletic Club have reportedly rekindled their interest in Alvaro Odriozola, who does not seem to have a future at Real Madrid.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Alvaro Odriozola might leave Real Madrid when the January transfer window opens at the turn of the year. The Spanish defender is the subject of interest from Athletic Club, but the Basque giants might launch the offensive next summer instead of January.
Alvaro Odriozola had a lot of hype surrounding him when he joined Real Madrid from Real Sociedad in July 2018. But the last four years have been forgettable for the Spanish international, who has become an afterthought at Real Madrid, with some of his best performances coming on loan at Fiorentina last season.
The 26-year-old is yet to turn out for Real Madrid thus far this season, and he will likely feed off scraps in the 2022/23 campaign. With things going from bad to worse at Real Madrid, Odriozola has to depart from the Santiago Bernabeu at the earliest opportunity. And his next destination might be within La Liga, with Athletic Club keen on signing him.
Athletic Club had shown interest in signing Odriozola from La Liga rival Real Madrid in the summer transfer window. But a move never materialised, with the 26-year-old inexplicably staying put at the Bernabeu, with no suitor presenting an offer for Los Blancos to consider.
But Ernesto Valverde wants to sign a right-back in 2023, even though he has two solid options at his disposal in Oscar de Marcos and Ander Capa. It seems like Athletic Club might sell one of de Marcos And Capa, with Odriozola in line to replace whichever full-back departs from San Mames.
While Odriozola has barely earned any minutes during his time at Real Madrid in the last couple of years, he is still a solid option for a mid-table club. The Spanish defender is thus a viable target for Athletic Club heading into a transfer window in 2023.
The 26-year-old should be reaching his peak years, and playing regularly might help him earn a spot in the Spanish national team. If he regains his form, the Real Madrid defender has the quality to become an asset for Athletic Club for years to come.
