Arsenal is convinced that this summer it completed the signing of Martin Zubimendi, despite the interest of Real Madrid, according to a report.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed in January that the Gunners will land the Spain International in the upcoming window because they have tried him for more than 12 months.
In the following months, however, reports in Spain indicated that the European champions were interested in the midfielder and the deal could hijack.
But according to ESPN, the Gunners are confident to acquire the signature of the real Sociedad star, with negotiations that are already at an advanced stage. His signing is expected to start an important summer of recruitment for the North London club.
The midfielder, who came close to Liverpool last summer before returning the deal at the last minute, has a release clause of £ 51 million in his contract.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is a sharp admirer of the 15 Spanish international.
Arsenal's need for a new central midfielder prior to the following season was raised with Jorginho and Thomas Partey both from contract at the end of the season and the club have accelerated their interest in Zubimendi.
Last summer Liverpool came close to the signing of Zubimendi for £ 52 million before a dramatic U-turn remained in the LaLiga club's 26-year-old midfielder.
The Reds wanted to strengthen their team with a no. 6 for Arne Slot's debut campaign in Anfield, before Zubimendi finally decided to stay.
Zubimendi opened the Spanish press in August: 'I was not busy from my narrow circle.
'My friends are clear that whatever I decide, it will be the best. There is no busy at all.
'Real Sociedad for me is my life, I think I've been there for half of my life. Much of what I am is part of real, it's my life, “he added.
Zubimendi and Sociedad did not have the best of seasons, because the party is currently 10th in the Spanish top flight and bowing in the last 16 of the Europa League after the defeat of Manchester United.