Arsenal defender, Sokratis keen on joining Real Betis this month

Real Betis wants to sign Sokratis from Arsenal and, according to Goal, the defender is keen to move to Spain.

At Emirates Stadium, the center-back is surplus to requirements and would like to move to the Liga side currently controlled by former boss Manuel Pellegrini of Real Madrid, Manchester City, and West Ham.

It is known, however, that Betis will first have to sell players as they are struggling under the La Liga imposed Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations and need to reduce their wage budget before they can make any big signings.

Betis is aiming to get rid of the central Brazilian defender Sidnei, either permanently or on loan, which would provide the funds to sign Sokratis. Several clubs, including fellow Liga side Getafe, have been offered the 32-year-old.

They are also investigating the alleged sale to Benfica of Portugal’s international midfielder, William Carvalho.

This would make for a move for Sokratis, who, after dropping down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta, is finding an exit from Arsenal.

He is interested in playing in Spain, although the Gunners are happy to get him off their salary bill to the point that they will not need a transfer fee.

In the summer, he was not recorded in the Arteta Premier League squad, leaving him stranded on the sidelines like Mesut Ozil, a fellow outcast. On a deal that ends this June, he receives £ 5 million a year in salary, but has been stuck in reserve team football this campaign.

He is also keen on returning to either the Bundesliga or Serie A, having previously played for Borussia Dortmund, Werder Bremen and Genoa, but Betis is the club that has shown the most specific interest so far.