Manchester City and Liverpool Target Real Sociedad Defender Jon Aramburu

SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain — Jon Aramburu’s rapid rise at Real Sociedad and his performances for Venezuela have triggered a Premier League scouting battle involving Manchester City, Liverpool and several other English clubs.

The 22-year-old Venezuela international has become a key target as elite European clubs place greater emphasis on physical robustness and one-on-one defensive specialization at fullback. Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, Everton and Fulham have also registered interest and conducted preliminary checks on the defender.

Aramburu began his European career with Spanish third-tier side Real Unión after being born in Caracas, Venezuela. He transferred to Real Sociedad’s reserve team in 2023 and, under manager Imanol Alguacil, moved quickly into the first-team squad.

Primarily a right-back, Aramburu is also comfortable at left-back. His defensive discipline, tenacity in individual duels and positional flexibility have helped establish his reputation, while his performance metrics in defensive transition moments and isolated wide duels have made him one of the most heavily scouted young defenders in La Liga.

His international profile rose during the 2024 Copa América in the United States. Aramburu played a pivotal role in Venezuela’s unbeaten group stage run before the team progressed to the quarterfinals.

Manchester City’s interest is connected to its succession planning for Kyle Walker, who is 34 and entering the final year of a contract that runs through June 2026. Pep Guardiola has historically favored defensively secure, physical options on the flanks to combat quick counter-attacks.

Academy graduate Rico Lewis has excelled in a hybrid role that drifts into central midfield, but City’s recruitment staff has reportedly compiled extensive reports on Aramburu. The club identifies him as a profile capable of handling high-possession demands while maintaining defensive stability.

City explored several fullback profiles during the summer transfer window, and Aramburu remains high on the shortlist as the club assesses options for a long-term addition to the backline.

Liverpool’s interest comes as sporting director Richard Hughes and manager Arne Slot conduct broader structural assessments of their defensive unit. The Merseyside club is preparing for multiple scenarios involving its defensive depth, while right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has entered the final months of a contract set to expire in June 2025.

Alexander-Arnold’s situation has drawn intense speculation regarding interest from Real Madrid. Conor Bradley is highly rated within Anfield as a long-term contributor, yet Liverpool’s scouting department has delivered overwhelmingly positive feedback on Aramburu.

The defender’s ability to provide high-quality coverage on both flanks fits Slot’s emphasis on defensive solidity and tactical adaptability. Real Sociedad, however, is historically difficult to negotiate with over player departures because of its focus on retaining academy products and players committed to long-term projects.

The Basque club secured Aramburu’s future in May 2024 by signing him to a long-term contract extension that runs through June 2030. That commitment gives Real Sociedad total control over negotiations, although the deal includes a release clause valued at approximately £50 million, or around €60 million.

The release clause establishes a clear financial threshold for any Premier League club seeking to bypass lengthy negotiations. Real Sociedad’s management has previously shown a willingness to hold firm on such clauses during Liverpool’s unsuccessful pursuit of midfielder Martin Zubimendi, whose €60 million buyout clause was not met.

The club also held firm during the structured deal that eventually saw Mikel Merino join Arsenal. With multiple English clubs monitoring his development, Aramburu’s release clause represents a premium but accessible fee for a young, versatile defender with extensive top-flight and international experience.