Loan caps reshape Real Sociedad’s transfer strategy | OneFootball

Spain’s FEF has capped loan deals at six in and six out per club, a change already reshaping Real Sociedad’s transfer work.

According to Diario Vasco, La Real must now weigh every move across their professional structure, choosing carefully who arrives and who goes on loan.

Mikel Rodríguez’s switch to Alavés reflects that shift, a sale for two million euros rather than a loan, but with protection.

Real Sociedad keep 50 percent of his rights, a four year buy-back at four million in the first two seasons and five million in the next two, plus first refusal. The 24-year-old from Getaria has signed a five year deal and steps up from Sanse to seek top flight minutes.

Exemptions apply. An under-21 developed for three years at the same club between 15 and 21 does not count, so any loan for Ibai Aguirre would sit outside the cap.

The FEF rules align with FIFA’s 2024 framework, allowing up to 12 loan arrivals this window, six domestic and six international, and up to 12 exits on the same split.

The measures aim to support youth pathways, preserve competitive balance and reduce stockpiling, and may also rein in multi-club models. Strasbourg had five Chelsea loanees last season, while Girona take players via City Football Group.

Loans remain central to Real Sociedad. Last season Caleta-Car and Wesley joined temporarily, while four first-team players left on loan. In Sanse there was one loan arrival and two exits, three ins and six outs subject to limits.

Source: Diario Vasco