Real Sociedad considers 3 options to cover for Barrenetxea's injury

The Real Sociedad will have to enter the winter market to cover the loss of Ander Barrenetxea, who will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season. The Donostiarra club will need to look for a winger, either by purchase or loan, to cover an absence that forces Pellegrino Matarazzo to rethink his offensive options for January 2027.

The sports management must decide whether to invest in a young player with room for growth or a proven player who can provide immediate performance. These are three options that fit into different economic and sporting scenarios.

Three signings the Real Sociedad could consider in January

1. Jamie Gittens (Chelsea): the most interesting loan

22 years · Left winger · Chelsea

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Jamie Gittens is one of the most interesting alternatives due to his situation at Chelsea. The London club is considering allowing his loan in January after the attacker has struggled to find continuity since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in 2025.

According to Football Insider, Chelsea will evaluate his future after the international break and may facilitate a loan during the second half of the season. Roma is also monitoring his situation, so Real Sociedad would face competition.

His ability to play wide on the left and seek one-on-one situations fits the profile that Matarazzo needs. Additionally, a loan would allow the incorporation of a winger without bearing the cost of a definitive transfer.

2. Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart): strength and versatility

25 years · Right and left winger · VfB Stuttgart

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Jamie Leweling is another option to reinforce the flanks. The German international belongs to Stuttgart and can play on both sides, a feature that would allow Matarazzo various alternatives during matches.

In the 2026-27 season, he has accumulated two goals and one assist in 14 appearances across various competitions, with approximately 740 minutes played. His contract with the German team runs until 2029.

His signing would be more complicated than Gittens because Stuttgart has no evident need to let him go. A loan with an option to buy could be a formula to explore, although it would require persuading the German club.

3. Samuel Lino (Flamengo): a bet to regain his European experience

26 years · Left winger · Flamengo

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Samuel Lino represents an economically more challenging alternative but also offers experience in Spanish football after his time at Atlético de Madrid and Valencia.

The Brazilian returned to Flamengo in 2025 and has a contract until December 2029. His performance in Brazil has rekindled European teams' interest.

In fact, Roma reportedly made an offer of 25 million euros, which Flamengo rejected, according to market reports published this week. Juventus, Napoli, and several English clubs are also monitoring his situation.

Signing him would require a significant investment and competition with clubs that have already shown interest. Therefore, it would be a more ambitious alternative than the previous two, especially if Real decides to invest in ownership rather than resorting to a loan.

Real Sociedad must decide what profile they need

The loss of Ander Barrenetxea changes the priorities of the sports planning. Matarazzo loses an option for the left wing and will have to manage that absence during the second half of the season.

The first solution involves taking advantage of available resources, with Gonçalo Guedes, Take Kubo, and Orri Óskarsson as players who can operate in various offensive positions. However, incorporating a specialist would allow for more rotation options.

Of the three possibilities, Jamie Gittens is the most coherent option for a January operation, because Chelsea is considering a loan and the player needs minutes. Leweling would require negotiations with Stuttgart, while Samuel Lino would entail a considerable investment.

The market will open on January 2, 2027, and close on February 2. Real Sociedad will have that month to find a solution that allows them to cover Barrenetxea's absence without compromising the economic planning for the next season.