Speaking to reports on Tuesday, Real Sociedad president Jokin Apperibay spoke very briefly on the growing rumors linking midfielder Asier Illarramendi with a move to Real Madrid.
With the constant rumors claiming that Real Sociedad midfielder Asier Illarramendi is nearing a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Sociedad president Jokin Apperibay spoke out on the matter.
Apperibay did not speak for very long and kept his words to a minimum but he made it clear that the plan is for Illarramendi to stay with La Real.
“There is nothing in the reports. I do not have much to say about it. Real Sociedad want Illarramendi to stay.”
When reports continued to press the issue looking for a response to give more detail, Apperibay again stated that he didn’t know what was going to happen.
“I do not know [about the move], Real Sociedad want him to stay, there’s nothing more to it.”
Reporters then asked the Real Sociedad president if the possible purchase would be decided soon to which Apperibay noted that Real Madrid would have to pay the release-clause, something they rarely do.
“That’s up to Real Madrid and Illaramendi. I trust Madrid because they never pay buy-out clauses and you always have to appreciate that about them. But I do know that our ambition is the most important thing to the club.”
Apperibay closed by noting that he has not yet spoken with Illarramendi who is due back in training on Thursday but also admitted that a decision has not been officially made.
“We have not spoken with Illaramendi. All we want is for him to start training with us again and for him to be happy. We have not done any negotiating; all we have done is tell Madrid that we want him to stay. I will not deny anything but the truth is we have not made any decision for the moment.”