Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos is ‘convinced’ about making a move to Real Betis and the Spanish club are working to make it happen.
That’s what Estadio Deportivo report today, bringing their own information to the table regarding the possible transfer.
Sokratis has been widely expected to leave Arsenal this month, having been deemed surplus to requirements by Mikel Arteta this season.
With his contract expiring in the summer, this month remains the last chance for the Gunners to make any money from a potential sale and thus a move has been mooted.
Several sides in Italy are thought to be keen on the 32-year-old as well as Betis, who have also been named as suitors for his signature.
Estadio cover that today and confirm that ‘the procedures’ for a move have been underway for a long time and things are ‘on the right track’ on that front.
That’s because Sokratis is convinced that the move is the best one for him and has accepted the offer of a longer contract so Betis can fit his high wages into their economic structure.
Arsenal will not be an ‘impediment’ either and are even open to letting him go on a free this month, perhaps on a deal that includes future performance bonuses, just to get him off the wage bill.
The most difficult part is fitting him into the squad. Betis already have a squad of 25 players, and they need to sort out sales to make space for the Greek defender.
Similarly, they have to hope that La Liga have no problems with their salary cap, which they have already exceeded by €15-18m.
Reducing both is something the club are working on, with William Carvalho on the way to Benfica, one of the club’s three forwards being moved on and possible adjustments for other players too.
All of those are being done to get a deal for Sokratis over the line, with it stated that the operation is ‘marching at a good pace’.
