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Carlos Vela re-signs for Real Sociedad in club record £15m deal

Carlos Vela has been signed for a second time by Real Sociedad after the Basque side ‘bought-out’ Arsenal’s £3.5m buy-back clause.

The 25-year-old previously signed for Arsenal in January 2006 as a 17-year-old and was shipped out on loan to Spanish minnows Salamanca and Osasuna before finally making his Gunners debut in 2008.

Mexican international Vela gained further experienced on loan at West Brom and Sociedad, before making the latter move permanent in 2011. He scored just 11 goals in his six years in north London and found first team chances difficult to come by.

But he particularly excelled in Spain last season, netting 16 times in 34 games, prompting Arsenal to activate a buy-back clause inserted in his contract for £3.5 million.

After weeks of negotiations Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay and Arsenal’s chief deal maker Richard Law have agreed a deal which will see Vela re-sign for the La Liga side in a deal worth around £15million, with Arsenal set to receive £10m from the transfer.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will enter the transfer market for a new striker this summer, with Nicklas Bendtner now released. Yaya Sanogo is still developing, leaving France international Olivier Giroud as the club’s only reliable frontman.

However, Vela’s insistence on staying at the Anoeta Stadium has forced Wenger to look for a different striking option with the likes of Mario Balotelli reportedly at the top of the Frenchman’s transfer wish list.

Wenger’s decision to allow Sociedad to obtain the full rights to Vela could open the door for Costa Rica youngster Joel Campbell who has impressed throughout the World Cup so far.

Campbell has spent the previous three seasons on loan around Europe at Lorient, Real Betis and Olympiakos, but is expected to be given his chance to impress during pre-season..

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