A breaking report from MARCA reveals that Alvaro Odriozola is set for a last-minute departure from Real Madrid.

The 27-year-old defender will leave the Spanish capital on deadline day and sign for his boyhood club – Real Sociedad.

Carrusel Deportivo adds that the Merengues will receive €3 million in transfer fees.

Los Blancos and La Real have been negotiating his transfer for a while now, but it finally appears that an agreement has been reached between the two clubs.

Destination never in doubt

Odriozola has been at the exit door for a long time now. The Spanish international is aware that he will not see minutes under Carlo Ancelotti and has been willing to make a move away from Madrid.

However, he has always remained firm in his desire to return to the club of his life – La Real.

It was at the Basque setup that he made his name as one of La Liga’s most promising full-backs, and it is poetic that he returns to his former employers as he seeks a fresh start.

Real Sociedad have maintained the right-back on their radar for a long time and even reached an agreement over personal terms with the player.

All that remained was for a formal agreement to be reached between Real Madrid and La Real. Now, that detail appears to be sorted.

Imanol Alguacil’s coy stance

Real Sociedad have not shied away from being linked with the Real Madrid star in recent days. In fact, the club president himself openly acknowledged the interest in Odriozola earlier this week.

Real Sociedad coach, Imanol Alguacil, spoke to the media earlier today in the buildup to his team’s Matchday 4 clash. When quizzed about whether Odriozola’s signing would improve his squad, he cryptically responded by saying:

“I don’t expect anything, but the market is open, and anything can happen. What is needed is for us to improve the ones who are here.”

But now, it appears that Sociedad are indeed on the verge of signing Odriozola, with Real Madrid set to pocket €3 million from the departure of a player in the final year of his contract.