Reports: Arsenal agree to sell Carlos Vela’s buy-back clause to Real Sociedad for £8m

Carlos Vela in action for Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad are set to keep hold of Carlos Vela after agreeing an £8 million deal with Arsenal for the forward’s full rights, according to the Daily Star.

Arsenal sold Vela to Sociedad for £2.5 million in 2012, but under the terms of the deal they could buy the Mexican back at any time for a mere £3.5 million. Arsenal were linked with a move for the 25-year-old this summer, but this new agreement would end their ties with him.

Vela is still being chased by the likes of Atletico Madrid, but Sociedad can now insist on £30 million release clause being paid in full, rather than the knock-down price Arsenal could have signed him for.

The Mexican showed flashes of his talent in England, but he has developed into a superb attacking player at Sociedad. Last season he scored 16 goals and supplied 12 assists in La Liga. He had indicated that he wanted to stay in Spain instead of returning to the Emirates.

Vela’s excellent season will be rewarded with a new four-year deal worth £10 million, which would make him Sociedad’s highest-paid player.

This news could open the door for Joel Campbell, who spent last season on loan at Olympiakos from Arsenal. The 21-year-old was the star of Costa Rica’s 3-1 win over Uruguay, and Arsene Wenger has confirmed he will be part of the first-team squad next season.