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Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini has asked the club to sign Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos this month.

La Razon report that the Spanish club want to sign a centre back and a new striker this month and have even offered defender Sidnei to Getafe to make space for the former.

They are not the only side interested in the centre-back, with Alaves having also made a move for the Brazilian.

Betis have not responded to that bid as yet but have made it clear they will not allow him to leave until they have a replacement through the door.

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Pellegrini has identified Arsenal’s Sokratis as that man, asking the club to make a move for the defender this month.

The Greek centre back is widely expected to leave the Emirates this month, with his contract expiring at the end of the season and him not a part of Mikel Arteta’s plans.

La Razon report that Arsenal are negotiating with the Greek defender to terminate his contract early and get him off the wage bill.

That would facilitate his move to Betis, who are very much among the player’s suitors, alongside Fenerbahce, with reports in Turkey today stating that they have also made a move to secure his signature.