Real Sociedad heads to Birmingham for pre-season training with eight absentees and transfer talks in limbo. Director of football Erik Bretos is still working on exits and potential signings to strengthen a side that will compete in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Europa League next season. Manager Pellegrino Matarazzo took 28 players to England, but up to eight absences -due to holidays, injuries or imminent departures- are shaping the txuri urdin squad’s pre-season.
Who’s missing and why?
Among the absentees are Gonçalo Guedes and Mikel Oyarzabal, both without a clear return date. The Portuguese winger will rejoin the squad on July 29, while the club captain won’t be back until August 10 after a temporary exit. Three players are injured: Jon Gorrotxategi (groin strain), Álvaro Odriozola -still recovering- and Jon Balda, who is progressing gradually in Zubieta.
Three left-backs whose exits could come in the coming hours are also missing. Aihen Muñoz, Javi López and Arsen Zakharyan traveled to England despite being linked with moves elsewhere. Mikel Goti and Gorka Carrera -despite his 2031 contract- are also in the potential exit group, with the latter likely to leave on loan. Carlos Fernández and Jon Karrikaburu, linked with Real Oviedo and Sporting de Gijón respectively, round out the list of players who may leave.
What’s the transfer market saying?
The Zubieta side is still chasing signings to bolster a squad that finished last season 10th in La Liga with 46 points -11 wins, 13 draws and 14 losses- and a goal difference of -2 (59 scored, 61 conceded). Real Sociedad, 48 points behind leaders Barcelona, enters the summer needing clear upgrades in defense and on the left flank. Proposals for the players in question haven’t yet convinced all parties, so talks could drag on.
Pellegrino Matarazzo has 28 players in Birmingham, where the team will play two friendlies: against Wolverhampton on July 25 and Aston Villa on July 29. The squad is young, with key figures like Yangel Herrera, Carlos Soler and Take Kubo -in his second loan spell at the club. The side closed last season on a five-game winless run (DLDDL) and needs to regain rhythm before the new campaign kicks off.
Full squad list for the England stage
Goalkeepers: Álex Remiro, Unai Marrero, Aitor Fraga.
Defenders: Aritz Aramburu, Iñaki Rupérez, Aihen Muñoz, Javi López, Sergio Gómez, Igor Zubeldia, Jon Martín, Jon Pacheco, Luken Beitia, Kazunari Kita.
Midfielders: Beñat Turrientes, Yangel Herrera, Carlos Soler, Arsen Zakharyan, Luka Sucic, Mikel Goti, Alex Lebarbier, Ibai Aguirre.
Forwards: Ander Barrenetxea, Orri Óskarsson, Take Kubo, Gorka Carrera, Dani Díaz, Alex Marchal, Job Ochieng.
Real Sociedad heads into this stage with questions over several players’ futures, but also with a chance to blood youngsters like Alex Lebarbier and Job Ochieng in a competitive setting ahead of the 2026-27 season.
