Arsenal plan to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi at the end of the season.
The 25-year-old had been linked with a Premier League move last summer but remained in Spain. Reports indicated he rejected an offer from Liverpool, with Arsenal also expressing interest in his services.
Zubimendi was previously linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium last January, but it didn’t materialize. Now, it appears he is closer to joining Arsenal, with the Daily Mail reporting that he will make the switch at the end of the campaign.
The report suggests that the deal is ‘virtually completed’ with negotiations in advanced stages. While Arsenal would prefer Zubimendi to join immediately, Real Sociedad has insisted on retaining him until the season’s end.
Zubimendi is believed to have a release clause around £51 million, which Arsenal has agreed to trigger.
Mikel Arteta is expected to sign a new midfielder, with Jorginho and Thomas Partey out of contract in the summer. It is uncertain if they will receive new deals, as Arsenal has yet to decide.
Additionally, Arsenal may target a new striker before the month’s end following Gabriel Jesus’ serious knee ligament injury.
A loan move is considered the most likely solution, but Arsenal will need to look outside the Premier League due to Neto and Raheem Sterling occupying their two domestic loan spots.
Reports suggest a permanent signing could also be an option if deemed ‘fair and achievable.’
Arteta was quizzed on the possibility of adding to his team in Monday’s press conference and said: “My answer remains the same, we are actively looking in the market to improve the squad.
“We are looking, we are trying. The fact that I love a lot my players, we cannot think about improving our players. We have to believe that we will bring in something that will make us better.”
