Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal is almost complete because the Gunners want to confirm that they want to confirm their first summer transfer for Mikel Arteta, but still need more things in the coming weeks
Spain -midfielder Martin Zubimendi has arrived in London to start Arsenal's summer expenses. Zubimendi, 26, has agreed a relocation of £ 51 million to the Emirates and will complete the last steps before being announced as an Arsenal player.
Real Madrid made a late push for the Real Sociedad star, but it was too late because Arsenal was always confident that they had the player's word and agreement about a summer switch. Arsenal has been following him for several seasons, because Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the Spain star who helped his country last year to beat England to win the euros.
Arsenal is still in conversation with Thomas Partey about the extension of his deal, but the pressure has become because his contract ends on 30 June and little progress has been made. But Pedey likes to be extensive and the negotiations have been on a delicate point or something last week. It is still to be seen whether they can keep him in the club.
Arsenal will hope that Zubimendi is the start of a big summer with sports director Andrea Berta under great pressure to deliver a striker and a left wing player. Berta has also worked on other positions while he wants to strengthen in his first window in power.
There may be room to add more players if they can discharge some members of their team. Oleksandr Zinchenko is going to go this summer, while there has been interest in Jakub Kiwior.
But the priority is a striker with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyökeres at the top of their list. They have made little progress when agreeing a fee with both clubs that have a big price, while Sesko knows that he can control a large wage because he is one of the most sought after young strikers in Europe.
Sesko reportedly has personal conditions with the North London side and Leipzig open to the sale of the player after missing the qualification of Champions League. But the Bundesliga team is only willing to separate if they receive a fee of £ 60 million.
Arsenal has kept Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa on their radar after trying in January, while they also want an elite to have left the winger to strengthen their attacking and creativity options.