According to Cadena Ser, Arsenal are confident about landing Martin Zubimendi in the summer as their priority midfield signing. The Gunners have reportedly informed Real Madrid directors that they are close to finalising a move for the Spanish international from Real Sociedad.
Arsenal are set for a big summer window, with some key signings planned by the club in crucial areas of the squad. One of them is a central midfielder with Jorginho and Thomas Partey facing uncertain futures as their contracts are set to expire in the close season.
Partey is reportedly in talks with the club to extend his stay, as Jorginho seems destined to leave after a tremendous few years in north London. Arsenal had identified Martin Zubimendi as a viable target to improve their midfield setup and had opened talks with Real Sociedad back in January.
Zubimendi rejected a move to Liverpool last season to stay at Real Sociedad, although his future there looks uncertain. Incidentally, despite talk of a new contract, he has not signed anything yet since last summer, which has fueled speculation surrounding his future in San Sebastian.
New sporting director Andrea Berta is being tasked with closing the Zubimendi deal on priority, and Arsenal are inching closer than ever toward landing the 26-year-old star. However, recent reports from Spain had strongly suggested Real Madrid are interested in Zubimendi, and that the player was reportedly open to the idea.
Real Madrid are in the market for a midfielder, as stories linking Xabi Alonso as Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement have also linked Zubimendi to the club. Arsenal are confident about landing the 26-year-old star in the summer, as reports emerging from England have suggested they are acting as if the deal is already done.
The report spins off towards the Champions League quarterfinals between Arsenal and Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu and suggests, that the Gunners have already informed Real Madrid directors that they are closing in on Zubimendi in the director’s box. Irrespective of the truth behind those claims, the north Londoners appear closer than the Spanish giants to landing the 26-year-old star from Real Sociedad.
Arsenal appears to be prioritising the signing of Zubimendi as their first piece of business in the summer. Once the 26-year-old star has signed up, they will chase a new centre-forward with Viktor Gyokeres appearing at the top of their shortlist at the moment although there are many other names too.
