Real Sociedad reach agreement with Arsenal to retain Carlos Vela

Carlos Vela will make a permanent switch from Arsenal to Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad have confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Arsenal to retain the striker Carlos Vela permanently. Besides, Vela also signed a new 4-year-deal offered to him by the Spanish club.

The Mexican striker was loaned by Arsenal to Real Sociedad in 2011. Since then, Vela has made 126 official appearances scoring 47 goals and 28 assists for the La Liga club.

The 25-year-old striker was tipped for a return to Emirates this summer after Wenger reportedly triggered his £3.2 million buy-back clause. Though Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay was of the opinion that the Mexican would head back to Arsenal, Vela had been saying that he was happy to play in Spain and would not fancy a move back to his previous club.

Real Sociedad’s statement on their club website read: “Real Sociedad have reached an agreement with Arsenal FC which will allow Carlos Vela to continue at the club on a permanent basis.”

It also stated that Vela has agreed a new 4-year-deal with the club which will keep at San Sebastian till 2018.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Vela expressed his happiness by saying, "I always said that this is my home, I am very well in San Sebastian, as here anywhere, and so I told the president when he asked for my intentions.”

“We knew it would not be easy, but thankfully is resolved well and all parties are happy."

Hoping for a successful season, the striker added, “This club, this team has the ambition to make it better, and I am convinced that we will perform well in an exciting year.“