Arsene Wenger looks set to make his first foray into the summer transfer market as Arsenal close in on re-signing their former Mexico striker Carlos Vela from Real Sociedad.

According to comments made by Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay, the North London club have exercised the right to re-sign Vela for a miserly Dhs18.4m.

The 25-year-old left the Emirates stadium for Sociedad in 2011, initially on loan, before signing permanently the following season for a fee in the region of Dhs15m.

Aperribay was quoted as telling the radio station Cadena SER: “Arsenal have informed us that Vela would be with them next season.”

Vela will not be representing his country at this year's World Cup following a falling out with the Mexican FA three years ago that has not seen him play in green since.

In his most prolific season to date, Vela scored 16 times in La Liga last year while creating 12 assists for his team-mates.