Real Sociedad centre-back Robin Le Normand has a release clause set at €50m, a price that the Basque club will not budge on because “they have no need to sell”, according to Relevo and sources close to the situation.
The French defender is 26 years old and can also play for Spain due to his dual passport. This season he has played 24 games as a starter in La Liga, plus four more in the Europa League, where his team were eliminated by AS Roma in the round of 16.
Premier League leaders Arsenal asked about Le Normand in January, but there are other Premier League clubs that have joined the interest in him and will watch him live before the end of the season to decide whether or not to invest a significant sum this summer.
The defender has a contract until 2026 and Real Sociedad don’t want to let go of a player they consider important, and would only let him leave for the price of his release clause. A possible transfer in the summer has not been ruled out, among other things because Jon Pacheco, a 22-year-old left-footed central defender, is already in the Basque side’s plans as an ideal replacement.
La Real would be willing to consider big offers, as was the case with striker Alexander Isak, who was sold to Newcastle for €70m less than a year ago. For now, Le Normand is focused on finishing this season with his team currently fighting for fourth place in La Liga to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Kieran Quaile | GSFN
