Arsenal are willing to offer the €60m required to activate Martin Zubimendi’s release clause at Real Sociedad, according to a report.

Spanish outlet Sport report that Mikel Arteta is interested in signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, and the Gunners are willing to offer €60m (£52m) for the midfielder.

Sport add that the race for Zubimendi is on, and there are many European giants poised to pursue his signature in 2024.

€60m is the value of Zubimendi’s release clause, so if the report is correct, Arsenal wouldn’t need to worry about negotiating with Real Sociedad for the player.

David Ornstein recently reported for The Athletic that Arsenal explored the idea of signing Zubimendi 12 months ago, and their interest in him remains strong.

But even though the player’s contract includes a release clause, a deal may still be difficult to do.

Zubimendi has been reluctant to leave his current club in the past, and Real Sociedad’s progression to the Champions League last-16 is only likely to increase his desire to stick around for a bit longer.

Real Sociedad have drawn Paris Saint-Germain in the next round of the Champions League, which is an exciting matchup against big-name players like Kylian Mbappe.

But it also gives Zubimendi’s team a realistic chance to win, given PSG’s inconsistent European campaign so far.

With those matches not taking place until February 14th and March 5th, the January window will close long before we know the outcome of the tie.

Football.London confirm that Arsenal remain interested in Zubimendi, as one of a few midfield options. But again, they suggest a January move appears difficult in light of the player’s desire to stay.