Nacho Monreal has responded positively to initial contact from Real Sociedad over a possible transfer this summer, according to reports in Spain.

Monday’s Mundo Deportivo writes that Sociedad have received ‘good feedback’ from Monreal in response to their initial suggestion of a transfer this summer. Now, they plan to start negotiating with Arsenal, and the Spanish outlet admit convincing the Gunners to sell ‘will not be simple’.

Meanwhile, Noticias de Gipuzkoa add that Monreal is the club’s sole defensive target, so it seems their full focus is on signing the left-back. That fits with an earlier article from Mercado Gol, claiming the Spaniard is their ‘priority signing’.

Recent reports suggest Real Sociedad hope to convince Monreal to leave with first-team football and the chance to be close to his family. Monreal is 32 years old, and competing with 25-year-old Sead Kolasinac at Arsenal. It’s possible he could end up losing his place sooner rather than later. That’s much less likely to be the case in a team like Sociedad’s.

On the other hand, this is the player who finished second in Arsenal’s Player of the Season poll last campaign. If Monreal keeps up his good form, he should still be a starter under Unai Emery.

We’ll see how important it is to Emery to keep Monreal around in the coming weeks.