Arsenal are expected to win the competitive race for sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with a £51m deal for next summer is set to be agreed according to a report.
Zubimendi has been the subject of great interest for years. A technically gifted controller who works in the base of Real Sociedad’s midfield infamously betrothed Liverpool decided to stay at his boyhood club last summer in order to develop as a player.
After another six months of consistently impressive performances in the Spanish first division, Zubimendi is now ready to go.
Liverpool have maintained an interest in the 25-year-old, with Manchester City identifying him as a potential replacement for his compatriot Rodrigo. Even Real Madrid joined an ever-growing list of suitors, but Arsenal seem to have surpassed those lofty rivals.
The Gunners have all but agreed to trigger the £51m release clause in Zubimendi’s contract, with the move “virtually complete” according to Daily Mail. Despite Arsenal’s desire to bring the Spaniard to London this month, Real Sociedad have insisted on keeping their star until the summer.
Many would argue that the new midfielder shouldn’t be Arsenaltransmission priority. Gabriel Jesus could be on the sidelines out for the season with a knee injury sustained in last weekend’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, adding to the absences of fellow strikers Bukaya Saka and Ethan Nwaneri.
Arteta admitted that the club are “actively looking at the market to improve the squad” but they are limited by more than the usual restrictions of the winter window. Since Neto and Raheem Sterling are already on loan, Arsenal can no longer sign loan deals Premier League clubs until the end of the season.
While Zubimendi will not solve ArsenalHis distinct lack of cutting edge – he scored a total of nine goals throughout his senior career – will offer a youthful replacement for the outgoing midfield duo of Thomas Partey and Jorginho, both of whom are out of contract in the summer.
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