Real Sociedad have reportedly opened negotiations with Manchester City to sign left-back Sergio Gomez. The 23-year-old is seen as a top priority for the left-back position at the Spanish club. Kieran Tierney, who was Sociedad’s starting left-back for the 2023/24 season, will return to Arsenal after completing his loan spell.
Gomez joined Man City from Belgian side Anderlecht for around £13 million in the summer of 2022. Despite his attacking prowess as a wing-back, he has been largely unused by Pep Guardiola, managing only two starts in the Premier League during his two years at the club. With a contract at City until 2026, Gomez is expected to seek a move away from the Etihad for regular game time.
The left back came up the youth ranks of Barcelona before joining Borussia Dortmund, failing to make a single first team appearance for the Spanish side. Gomez also struggled for playing time at Dortmund, not starting a single Bundesliga match during his tenure there.
Gomez’s first taste of regular game time at senior level came with Huesca, where he enjoyed two successful loan spells in both the Segunda Division and La Liga. He then joined Anderlecht, enjoying a stellar campaign and being named Anderlecht’s Player of the Season. In that season, Gomez scored five goals and assisted 11 in 34 league starts, which prompted City to sign him.
The transfer fee for Gomez is expected to be around £10 million. This move works out for both parties, as Gomez’s attacking full-back style doesn’t align with Guardiola’s preference for defensively solid inverted full-backs.
For City, offloading players who don’t fit their playing style is important, and Gomez’s departure would help generate funds while allowing the talented full-back to revive his career with regular game time.
The move to Real Sociedad could provide Gomez with the platform he needs to flourish, offering him the opportunity to play a more significant role for the Basque side.
