Real Sociedad believe they have goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli tied down for next season in the face of interest from Valencia.
Los Che are looking to replace long-term injury victim Diego Alves and had reportedly settled on Rulli, who spent last season on loan at Anoeta.
It had been suggested that the fund that controls Rulli’s registration would send him to Mestalla for 2015-16 but La Real are of the opinion that they have done everything required to keep him for another year.
Rulli has even signed a contract with the club for 12 more months and did so with the full knowledge of the investment fund that own his rights.
That document has been registered with the LFP and is in the process of being ratified, which would make Rulli a Real Sociedad player once more.
It was initially thought that the contract might be invalid as it wasn’t signed by Deportivo Maldonado, the Uruguayan outfit that for legal reasons is Rulli’s club, but further investigations have concluded that isn’t the case.
Rulli and company could break the contract but they would face a €30m fine for doing so. La Real will demand full compensation and take their case to the highest possible level if the investment fund move Rulli to Valencia.
Valencia’s interest has already seen La Real agree to pay more for a second year of Rulli’s services, AS note, and the situation will be finalised when Rulli returns from his summer holiday later this week.
