Real Sociedad line up Lemos as Iñigo Martinez's replacement
La Real have given up hope of keeping centre-back Martinez
Lemos was of interest to Barcelona last year but stayed with Las Palmas
Barcelona hope to close the signing of Iñigo Martinez this week. Real Sociedad know it will be difficult to stop the deal happen as the defender has a 32 million euro buyout clause. Therefore, they have began to work on a replacement. Diario Vasco say that they have re-activated their interest in Mauricio Lemos, the Las Palmas centre-back.
La Real had made a move for the Uruguayan earlier this summer, before finally signing Diego Llorente. Now, with 32 million euros from Barça, they can make another move for Lemos, whose own release clause is 30 million euros. Las Palmas are not ready to sell the defender for less than 20 million euros, mind.
Lemos was also interesting Barcelona last summer, who made a move for him before finally signing Samuel Umtiti. Lemos had a good season under Quique Setien and has been linked with several moves. As well as La Real, Inter Milan and Everton have also been mentioned.