Wantaway Madrid attacker could suit Everton

Real Madrid forward Martin Odegaard wants to leave the Santiago Bernabau after finding his opportunities at the Spanish club severely limited. Could he be a good option for Everton as the Toffees seek to strengthen their attack?

Odegaard is a 22-year-old Norway international who has struggled to convince Zinidane Zidane he should be a regular starter in the Frenchman’s team.

Last season he was sent out on loan at fellow La Liga club Real Sociedad where he enjoyed an excellent campaign.

After that successful loan term where he had proved his ability, he might have expected more chances to show his talent in a Real Madrid shirt. But he’s hardly featured in the team despite the struggles Los Blancos had earlier on this season.

Zidane seems to be creating a reputation for irritating his players and has had similar problems with a team-mate of Odegaard, Spanish star Isco. He was of course heavily linked with a move to Goodison Park recently.

Now according to Spanish media reports Odegaard, after hardly playing at all so far in 2020-21, wants out of the Spanish capital too and a fresh start at another club.

Odegaard has the sort of qualities that the Blues should be looking for. He’s a very good attacking talent who can make and score goals and plays wide or behind the striker.

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At 22 he’s also a young player with the potential to get even better and as such suits the well-established transfer strategy of Marcel Brands.

Given his age and his talents he could also make a very good long-term replacement for James Rodriguez, who at 29 and given his injury history might not be able to play more than a few seasons in the Premier League.

He’s actually very similar to James and  like the Colombian enjoys playing on the right, He has a fantastic left foot and great vision but is also quicker and more versatile and runs well with the ball.

On the debit side, he’s not got express pace (something the Blues need more of) and he perhaps need to add more goals to his game.

Ideally Everton do need another forward who can play anywhere wide or up front to give Carlo Ancelotti more options.

This provides greater tactical flexibility, increased creativity and helps relive the pressure and demands on his first-choice attacking three; Rodriguez, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Blues have been linked with a host of these sort of players over the past few months, from the previously mentioned Isco to Luis Alberto of Napoli.

The Norwegian might be a player worth considering given his age and as he is looking for a way out of Real. He seems to tick most of the boxes for the Toffees and if he can reproduce the kind of form he showed last season at Sociedad then he would be a very effective footballer.

In addition the Spanish giants are cash-strapped and would probably be prepared to look at a reduced fee to get him off their books. While nothing is likely to happen in January, a move for such a promising young player might be worth considering this summer.