Arsenal are close to completing a deal to sign Real Society midfielder Martin Zubimendi this summer, according to Sky Sports News, however, the Gunners are bidding for a new striker this month.
Zubimenddi has a release clause that would be £51m and Arsenal are already making plans in the summer with Thomas Partey and Jorginho entering the final six months of their contracts.
It is believed that Arsenal sought to reach an agreement within this window, but it turns out that a commitment was reached for Zubimenddi to remain in society for the rest of the season.
The 25-year-old is under contract at La Real until the summer of 2027. Liverpool agreed a deal to sign Zubimendi last summer – only for the player to change his mind and stay in Spain.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are working hard on the scenes to recruit an attacker in this movement window.
The north London club were exploring short and long-term targets even before Gabriel Jesus’ injury.
Arsenal will be reasonable, especially with long -term objectives, since they know that club promotion will feel that they can qualify more.
The Gunners are one of the clubs keeping an eye on PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani this month, according to Sky in Italy.
PSG are willing to let the 26-year-old leave but want a permanent sale or loan with an obligation to buy.
Sky Sports News understands that Tottenham is still interested in the International of France, while Manchester United has continued through its initial demands.
Sky in Italy are reporting that Juventus, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund are the other clubs in the race. Kolo Muani has been frozen out at PSG because head coach Luis Enrique prefers to play with a false nine.
Sam Blitz by Sam Sports:
The timing of Arsenal’s imminent move for Zubimendi is very interesting. Most Gunners enthusiasts are asking for a new striker, but it’s a defensive midfielder arriving later this year who will emerge from the club in north London.
Looking at the smaller and wider context of this pursuit, Arsenal moving for Zubimendi is no surprise.
In a more limited context, the Spaniard is one of the top sought-after defensive midfielders in Europe, as evidenced by the Liverpool crowd’s interest in him last summer.
“It is not so simple to locate the players who can help us or even the team. Zubimendi was one of them, to be honest, but made the decision not to come,” said Liverpool head, Arne Slot, in August. The concept that Liverpool thought how 25 years to improve its already correct team said a lot.
The signs were also there earlier last summer. Zubimendi’s second-half display in the Euro 2024 final against England – in which Spain actually improved after losing the future Ballon D’Or winner Rodri to injury at half-time – rubberstamps his elite-level status.
There is a wider context to the Zubimendi pursuit and perhaps Arsenal have been planning for this move for some time. In the 2019-20 season, Zubimendi was part of a Sociedad team that also had current Gunners players Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino in the midfield.
It is also worth noting that the starting striker in La Real’s team that season was current Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, whom the Gunners have been linked with.
Arsenal are ultimately trying to have their own doubts with doubts over Declan Rice’s midfield position at No. 6 or No. 8, as well as uncertainty over the contracts of senior midfielders Jorginho and Thomas Partey – this It is an arsenal of dominance that he wants to strengthen.
Zubimenddi turns out to be the best arrival given his history. He was formed through the Vasco Country Amateur Youth Club Antiguoko, who also marked the beginning of the careers of Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso.
Zubimendi played under Alonso in the Real Sociedad B team, and is now about to work with another Antiguoko alumni in Arteta.
Arsenal need reinforcements up front to support forward Kai Havertz after Gabriel Jesus suffered a suspected long-term injury – but who could they sign?
Read Sky Sports’ striker shortlist for Arsenal here.
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