Real Madrid, we can safely assume, are in for a busy summer
Despite releasing separate statements to deny they’ve tabled bids for Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, reports linking the pair with the Bernabeu are unlikely to die down any time soon – especially if Cristiano Ronaldo completes a high profile transfer to Juventus in the coming days.
Despite winning their third Champions League title on the spin last season, it was expected that Real would rebuild their squad this season following the departure of Zinedine Zidane.
Newly appointed Julen Lopetegui now appears to have started that process, agreeing a deal to sign Alvaro Odriozola from Real Sociedad.
The 22-year-old defender impressed for the San Sebastian-based club last season, so much so that Lopetegui named him in the Spain squad for the World Cup. Lopetegui was sacked as Spain manager on the eve of the tournament and Odriozola failed to make an appearance under his successor Fernando Hierro.
However, it’s now been announced that the youngster will be reunited with Lopetegui at the Bernabeu after Real activated what’s believed to have been a €40m (£35.4m) release clause in his contract.
Madrid have announced that Odriozola will sign a six-year contract to keep him with the club once he has passed a medical.
‘Real Madrid and Real Sociedad have agreed the transfer of Alvaro Odriozola, pending a medical,’ a statement on their official website reads.
‘The player will be tied to the club for the next six seasons.’
Although Odriozola is expected to be the first arrival at Real this summer, for now, all eyes are on whether Ronaldo will depart. Reports from Portugal claim his move to Turin could be completed within a matter of hours. Luciano Moggi, the former CEO at Juventus, has gone as far as suggesting Ronaldo has already signed for the club, completing medicals with them in Munich.
