Prior to the weekend, there was genuine hope that Genoa could lure Sokratis Papastathopoulos back to Italy.
The Serie A side, who already have a history with the Greek defender during his time at the club between 2008-2012, had offered the Arsenal defender a two and a half year deal, as well as the captain’s armband, in hope that would be enough.
However, they have been dealt a blow, it seems, by Real Betis, as the La Liga team swooped in over the weekend with interest of their own.
That’s according to Corriere dello Sport, who have been reporting on Genoa’s interest from the off, with the Italian newspaper claiming Sokratis is ‘getting further and further away’ as the Spanish club are pressing ‘harder and harder’ to acquire his services.
One is a comfortable return to a place he knows well, while the other is a brand new adventure since he’s never played in Spain before.
It seems the latter is winning for the time being.
