On Sunday, Real Sociedad confirmed their second left-back signing of the summer, as Javi Lopez arrives from Alaves. He arrives after Sergio Gomez came in from Manchester City.
According to MD, Lopez will cost the Txuri-Urdin €6.5m, plus a further €0.5m in variables, making the short trip north from Vitoria-Gasteiz. The 22-year-old has signed a six-year deal at the Reale Arena. Making 34 appearances last season, Lopez won his spot in the team over captain Ruben Duarte, who was shifted into the middle of defence. Lopez was linked with a move to AC Milan in January, but the Italian side never made their interest solid.
Yesterday #RealSociedad confirmed the addition of left-back Javi Lopez from #Alaves.pic.twitter.com/is78cIKRD0
— Football España (@footballespana_) July 22, 2024
It leaves Imanol Alguacil with three good choices at left-back, although Aihen Munoz is expected to be out for the rest of 2024, after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament. Once he is back, Gomez could play further forward as a winger, but he and Lopez will replace outgoing loanees Javi Galan and Kieran Tierney.
