Arsenal are expected to win the competitive race sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi’s £51million contract next summer is set to be agreed according to a report.
Zubimendi has been the subject of great interest for years. The technically gifted controller who operates at the base of Real Sociedad’s midfield infamously rejected Liverpool last summer, he chose to stay at his boyhood club to develop as a player.
After another six months of consistently impressive displays in the Spanish top flight, Zubimendi is now ready to walk away.
Liverpool maintained an interest in the 25-year-old and Manchester City had identified him as a potential replacement for his compatriot Rodri. even Real Madrid joined the growing list of suitors, but it looks like Arsenal outplayed these noble rivals.
The Gunners have all but agreed to trigger the £51million release clause in Zubimendi’s contract, with a move “virtually complete” according to the Daily Mail. Despite Arsenal’s desire to bring the Spaniard to London this month, Real Sociedad have insisted on keeping their star player until the summer.
Many would argue that a new midfielder shouldn’t be arsenaltransfer priority. Gabriel Jesus could be left out for the rest of the season with a knee injury sustained in last weekend’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United, adding to the absences of fellow strikers Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri.
Arteta has admitted the club are “actively searching the market to improve the squad”, but they are constrained by more than the usual constraints of the winter window. With Neto and Raheem Sterling already on loan, Arsenal cannot sign any more on loan Premier League clubs during the rest of the season.
While Zubimendi will not solve it arsenalThe clear lack of forwards – he has scored a grand total of nine goals throughout his senior career – will provide a youthful replacement for the outgoing midfield duo of Thomas Partey and Jorginho, both out of contract in the summer.
