5 midfielders who could replace Luka Modric at Real Madrid

2. Martin Odegaard

Martin Odegaard is destined to be a future superstar at Real Madrid

In an ideal scenario, Real Madrid fans would want Zinedine Zidane to go all-out on a striker this summer and finally hand Martin Odegaard a definitive role in his midfield trident next season. The Norwegian is having a brilliant campaign on loan at Real Sociedad where he has 7 goals and 8 assists to his name in all competitions.

Odegaard was bought in by Madrid at the tender age of 16 but only managed a solitary appearance for the senior team. Subsequently, he was sent out on loan to Dutch outfits Heerenveen and Vitesse before his ongoing spell in the north of Spain. The 21-year-old also has over 20 caps for Norway and will look to lead his side into the European championships as dark horses this summer.

Real Madrid have some of the world’s best youngsters in their ranks with the likes of Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde already shining at the club. However, not many would argue that Martin Odegaard is the brightest of the lot. The playmaker is often deployed as a second striker by his Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil, however, in Zidane’s set-up, he could be used to work the channels in midfield.

With Casemiro and Valverde protecting the defense, Odegaard could be given the license to control play, bomb forward and create chances for his teammates. He could also be utilised as a right-winger who likes to cut inside on his preferred left foot and carve open the opposition. Luka Modric’s departure could be a welcome opportunity for Martin Odegaard who will finally look to justify the hype with which he arrived at the Bernabeu back in 2015.