Arsenal will confirm the real Sociedad -midfielder Martin Zubimendi as their first summer signing in a large coup for Mikel Arteta
The transfer from Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal is expected to be officially made until July – although the player has already traveled to London with his agent to put the finishing touches to his Real Sociedad switch.
The Spain International was in the capital on Friday to meet Gunners officials, while the side of Mikel Arteta purchased their first major statement deal of the summer window.
However, Sociedad wants the move to be ratified next month for their financial data, since the current football year year will end on 30 June. Arsenal is also expected to pay somewhat above the £ 51 million release clause from Zubimendi and the final reimbursement could still reach £ 55 million.
The extra £ 4 million, although sources at this stage remain tightly left on the final figures, they would give the right to more favorable payment conditions, spread over a longer period and considerable, would give them further flexibility in the market in the midst of tightening PSR instructions.
Real Madrid was tipped to hijack Arsenal's Swoop for the 26-year-old after the arrival of Xabi Alonso in the Bernabeu, but the approaching transfer of Zubimendi had been agreed in principle a few months ago and the Gunners had long been operating with the conviction that he would connect this summer.
In the meantime, the contract situation of Thomas Pedey is currently looking gloomy, because the discussions were not demanded between the parties and a late U-turn, the Ghanaese is becoming a free agent at the end of the month.
The 32-year-old was offered to a number of top European clubs last week, including Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, but at this stage it is still not clear where he could end because his priority has always been to stay in Arsenal.
If Partey does indeed leave, Arsenal will actively try to recruit another midfielder after he also lost Jorginho to Flamengo, although it is expected to fill the void of the Ghana International at the basis of the engine room of Arteta.
Arsenal is ready to perform their pursuit of newcomers in the coming weeks with a striker who still regards as both Arteta and sports director Andrea Berta's top priority.
The interest in RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres is going on and at the moment Arsenal is apparently still binding to stay one of the two players, because both deals remain to be beaten.
Both Sesko and Gyokees are supposed to be enthusiastic about movements to the Emirates.