Arsenal have seemingly won the race for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, but he may not join the Gunners until next season.
Zubimendi, 25, has long been courted by a host of European elites, including several top Premier League clubs. And it is well known that he has been a long-term target for Arsenal, who attempted to sign the Spaniard last year.
Liverpool tried to complete a deal for the playmaker in the summer, but the Euro 2024 winner had a late change of heart. But Zubimendi is now poised to seal a blockbuster move to the Premier League.
Talks over a summer move to Arsenal are now at an advanced stage and the player is ready to leave Sociedad. Zubimendi is understood to have a £51million release clause written into his contract, which the Londoners are now on the verge of triggering.
But while the Gunners would like the player to join them in the January transfer window, Sociedad are adamant that Zubimendi should remain in Spain and sit out the season, as first revealed by The Mail.
Arsenal do not have the leeway when it comes to Premier League PSR rules to pay Zubimendi's buyout clause to La Liga right now. Therefore, they continue to negotiate the exact payment terms with La Real – hence a deal is expected to be postponed until the summer. Without the help or will of the Basque team, Arsenal cannot get over the line now.
Nevertheless, the deal is considered a major coup for Mikel Arteta and co, even though their most pressing priority this month was thought to be a striker.
Their need for reinforcements in January – especially in the forwards – has only increased following the nasty knee injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus in the defeat to Manchester United last weekend.
Arteta has made no secret of the club's desire to do business in January, although he refused to make any promises on revenues. He recently said: “We are actively looking into the market to improve the team. It's been that way since day one.
“It would be naive not to do that. It is an opportunity to improve the team. We are looking. We are trying. Let's see what we can do.”
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