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Arsenal are prepared to sell full-back Nacho Monreal to Real Sociedad.
The 33-year old has been a model professional since signing from Malaga in January 2013, and has made 250 appearances for the clubs in all competitions, including Arsenal’s three Premier League games so far this season.
However, with the arrival of Kiernan Tierney at the club, Monreal knows that his future first-team prospects at the Emirates are limited, with the Scot certain to displace him when he is fit.
The move to Sociedad is very attractive to Monreal because it offers him the security of a two yer deal, with the option of a third, and because he and is wife are both from that region of Spain.
There have been some suggestions that, as part of the deal to let Monreal leave at such a time and for what is a nominal fee, Sociedad are prepared to give the Gunners first option on some of their more promising talent, having helped develop the likes of Xabi Alonos and Antoine Griezmann in the past.
The Spanish club had wanted to tie the deal up in time for Monreal to play in the Basque derby against Athletic Bilbao on Friday night. However, Arsenal have a crucial derby of their own against bitter North London rivals Tottenham on Sunday, and may want to hang on to him for that match.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.