Real Madrid: Ødegaard to stay on at Real Sociedad
The coronavirus crisis has set back Madrid's plan to renew the squad and the Norwegian midfielder will remain in San Sebastián untl June 2021.
Real Madrid have more or less decided that Martin Ødegaard will remain at Real Sociedad for another season. The coronavirus crisis has meant that the club has had to delay their plans to renew the squad which was in line to get underway this summer. It's unlikely that any of the players who currently occupy Ødegaard's will be moving on and as things stand, both Madrid and the player feel that now isn't the right moment to make changes to the situation when the midfielder is progressing so well in San Sebastián.
Ødegaard and Real Madrid agree that the best option would be for him to see out the second year of his loan. The agreement with Real Sociedad was for one season with the option of a second. Last summer the Donostiarras paid Madrid two million euros to take the player on loan. Now the two clubs must renegotiate terms and come to some kind of arrangement on the cost of another 12-month loan plus the player's wages.
That won't be dealt with until the current season is over. The idea is for Ødegaard to remain in San Sebastián until June 2021 unless anything unexpected happens in the meantime such as injuries.
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Madrid and La Real enjoy an excellent relationship and allowing the Norwegian midfielder to stay on for another season is an option which suits all parties. Ødegaard has discussed his chances of getting regular playing time with Madrid and has decided that for now, he is better off where he is, getting a minimum of 30 games per season as a vital member of Imanol Alguacil's team. Real Sociedad are battling for a place in European competition next season and also have the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Club to play so it's not in their interests to lose one of their key players.
In contrast to some of Madrid's other loan agreements (for example, Lunin and Vallejo…), Ødegaard's spell at La Real has been a hugely successful experience. In many ways, it could not have turned out much better. So another year with the Txuri-urdin can only be beneficial for all parties before Ødegaard is ready to make the definitive step of being a full-time member of Real Madrid's first team squad.