ARSENAL are confident of making Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi their first signing of the summer – despite reports of a hijack attempt from Real Madrid.
It was revealed in January that the Gunners had agreed to pay the Spanish midfielder’s £51m release clause, as well as sorting personal terms, with a view to joining ahead of next season.
GettyArsenal expect Martin Zubimendi to join in the summer for £51m[/caption]
GettyMikel Arteta has convinced Zubimendi to snub Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid[/caption]
In recent weeks, Los Blancos have been linked with a late smash-and-grab raid – desperate to bolster their ageing midfield after a disappointing campaign under Carlo Ancelotti that included losing 5-1 on aggregate to Arsenal in the Champions League quarter finals.
But SunSport understands that Arsenal still expect Zubimendi, 25, to choose North London instead of Madrid – having been convinced of the Emirates project by boss Mikel Arteta.
Arteta wanted Zubimendi to join immediately in the winter window, providing competition for the likes of Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey, only for Sociedad to demand he remain in San Sebastian for the rest of the 24/25 term.
Liverpool were on the brink of signing the Euros winner last summer but for a last-minute u-turn, one that scuppered the plans of new boss Arne Slot.
The arrival of Zubimendi is considered a done deal by Arsenal internally – unlikely to be announced until at least early June.
It is a key bit of business with the futures of midfielders Partey, 31, and Jorginho, 33, up in the air.
The pair’s contracts expire this summer. Partey has been linked with a move back to Atletico Madrid, with Barcelona also keen, but the Ghanaian would prefer to stay in London, and Arsenal are open to negotiating a short-term deal.
Jorginho is considering interest from Brazil and the MLS, but is also enjoying learning from Arteta at Arsenal and would be happy to sign a rolling one-year contract. The Italian has been taking his coaching badges at London Colney.
Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plus
in-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates
Zubimendi is anticipated to be the beginning of a huge summer of incomings for Arsenal, with Arteta revealing it will be “big” following the appointment of new sporting director Andrea Berta.
Berta had no influence on the Zubimendi deal, but will now be tasked with bringing in an elite striker, while also strengthening the general depth of the squad, selling fringe players to raise cash and extending the contracts of the likes of Bukayo Saka and William Saliba.
It is for that reason Alexander Isak may be out of Arsenal’s reach, valued between £100m and £120m by Newcastle, with Berta instead looking at Sporting Lisbon’s £60m Viktor Gyokeres, Red Bull Leipzig’s £70m Benjamin Sesko and Athletic Bilbao’s £50m Nico Williams.
A cheaper option up top would allow for more signings in other areas.
Arsenal are tracking Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia with current No.2 Neto’s season-long loan spell from Bournemouth ending shortly, having played just ONCE this term.
And as Kieran Tierney plots a move back to Scotland and Oleksandr Zinchenko linked with a move away, left-back could be an area to strengthen.
SunSport revealed in March that Espanyol’s £12.5m Omar El Hilali was being monitored.
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
