Transfer Centre

Jagoba Arrasate confident Carlos Vela, Antoine Griezmann will stay

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 02 June 2014

Real Sociedad manager Jagoba Arrasate believes that Carlos Vela and Antoine Griezmann will remain with the Basque outfit this summer despite strong interest in the pair.

Real Sociedad manager Jagoba Arrasate has expressed his belief that both Carlos Vela and Antoine Griezmann will remain at the Basque outfit this summer.

The attacking pair have been strongly linked with departures in recent months, with Vela believed to be attracting interest from former club Arsenal.

Griezmann, meanwhile, is widely regarded as one of the best attacking talents in European football.

However, Arrasate believes that Sociedad can repel interest in the pair.

"I know how Carlos Vela is and I understand that he's happy here and if that's the case, there's always a chance he'll stay. I'm feeling optimistic," he told AS.

"Right now, [Griezmann is] only focused on the World Cup, but as I understand it, he will continue. He's a player who has a contract with us, so he will need to join us.

"It's not easy to pay €30m (£24m) for a player and that makes us relatively calm."

Vela scored 21 times for Sociedad last season, while Griezmann registered 20 times.