According to highly reliable journalist David Ornstein, Arsenal are very far along in negotiations to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners will seek to strengthen their midfield for the new season, with Jorginho and Thomas Partey both due to leave when their contracts expire on June 30.
Ornstein has revealed that negotiations to sign Zubimendi to the Emirates are advanced, and there is a strong conviction in the club that the deal will go through.
“As we know, Zubimendi is in very advanced stages and the hope in Arsenal is that he’s coming. If that happens, it’s a massive financial outlay,” he said.
A high-quality signing
Zubimendi is rated La Liga’s best defensive midfielder and has been on the radar of Premier League clubs for years. With Jorginho and Partey both set to leave, the 26-year-old looks destined to replace the massive gap in midfield.
Although his physique is as close to Jorginho’s as possible, Zubimendi is marginally more effective in the air, winning 66% of his aerial battles.
He is also renowned for his tackle-happy approach, ball recoveries, and no-frills clearing of danger. His ball control and work rate make him the ideal piece of business to slot into Mikel Arteta’s regime.
Although Partey has enjoyed one of his most consistent campaigns at Arsenal, the team appears not to want to offer him a new deal—something that is perhaps justified considering his injury record throughout his career.
Zubimendi, who fellow player Kieran Tierney described as “world-class,” would be a quality like-for-like substitute in the defensive midfield role.
It remains to be seen whether or not Arsenal will sign another midfielder in addition to him. The Spaniard has a £51 million release clause on his contract, which would be a gamble big time.
Arsenal are also reportedly interested in Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, but Ornstein stated it would be financially complicated to pick up both the players.
Zubimendi could be Arsenal’s solitary summer midfield signing, with the Gunners also reportedly keen to acquire a top-quality striker and a third-choice goalkeeper in the coming months.
