Report: Odegaard set for Real Madrid role; Sociedad shocked by U-turn

Real Madrid will no longer loan Martin Odegaard to Real Sociedad for another season after Zinedine Zidane decided he needs more midfield options in his squad, according to ESPN's Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez.

The two clubs reportedly verbally agreed that Odegaard would play in San Sebastian for two campaigns, with the second year expected to be ratified after the Norwegian's fine 2019-20 term playing under Imanol Alguacil. However, Zidane changed his mind following Real Madrid's Champions League elimination to Manchester City.

Zidane believes Odegaard's intricate passing, ball retention, and other qualities will provide serious competition to Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Isco, and Federico Valverde in his midfield. Los Blancos reportedly don't intend to spend big in the summer transfer window, and Odegaard has proven he can be a standout player in La Liga through his exploits at Real Sociedad.

It is now up to Odegaard to agree to cut his Anoeta spell short and return to his parent club, Kirkland and Faez understand. There may be reluctance from the 21-year-old, though - he's made only one league appearance for Real Madrid since moving to the Santiago Bernabeu five-and-a-half years ago.

"My intention is to stay here for two years, and I think it's important for me," Odegaard told ESPN's Tom Hamilton and Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal last October. "I've changed teams for two seasons in a row. For young players and for me, it's good to have some stability."