Real Madrid are slowly climbing up the La Liga points table but their shot at domestic silverware is only slipping away. They still have a chance to lift the UCL title but Zinedine Zidane is already convinced that his side needs addition next season, to get back to their previous best.
Having failed to add even a single world-class star to their side in the previous summer, Zidane is now expected to make some bumper signings, at the end of the current season. However, he will also look to improve the overall quality of the squad, and has been tracking a number of youngsters for a move in the summer.
One such player, constantly linked with a move to Bernabeu is young Alvaro Odriozola.
The 22-year old is a product of the academy at Real Sociedad, where he rose through the ranks and broke into the first team just last year. He already has 33 La Liga appearances to date, 25 of which have come this season. His most impressive performances have come in the Europe League and reports claim that Barcelona and Manchester United are also interested in his services.
A right back by trait, Odriozola can also play in an attacking role on the flank and is a strong and confident defender. He loves to have the ball at his feet, is adept at hold up play and is usually productive with his passing and crossing. He hates to take risks, sticks to his task defensively and is more than effective at the other end.
He is a hard man to mark and though needs to improve on his aerial strength, at just 22, is a star for the future. Real Madrid were interested in his signature even in the January transfer window but Sociedad were not ready to let him leave at that time.
However, reports now suggest that the La Liga outfit value him at around £18m, which should not be a problem for the Spanish giants. He has also made a couple of starts for the Spanish national side and is a star in the making.
Dani Carvajal will remain the first choice RB for the side but neither Nacho nor Achraf Hakimi have done enough to warrant a place in the first team and the Sociedad man could well be just below Carvajal in the pecking order. He has shown that he is ready for the top flight but is he the right man for Los Blancos?
