Martin Zubimendi says links to the likes of Arsenal are nothing more than rumours, and he’s still happy at his ‘home’ of Real Sociedad.

Martin Zubimendi has been linked with Arsenal for a while now, with the rumours starting to grow over the last few months.

But Charles Watts reported in March that one of the biggest obstacles to a potential deal remained the fact that Arsenal still don’t know if the player actually wants to leave Real Sociedad.

Speaking to Marca this week, Zubimendi certainly made it sound like he’s happy to stay.

“They are just rumours, I am happy at Real Sociedad, it is like my home,” Zubimendi said of the transfer links.

“I cannot say that I will play my entire career at Real Sociedad, perhaps the club won’t want me to continue with them in the future. But I do not worry about those rumours.”

Watts had reported that Zubimendi is admired by Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta knows him well.

Before that, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported that the long-term links between Arsenal and Zubimendi have substance, with the Gunners considering a midfield signing this summer.

Sami Mokbel wrote for the Daily Mail that Arsenal would look to sign a central midfielder in the summer, with Zubimendi among the club’s targets.

Whilst Fabrizio Romano reported that the Gunners appreciate Zubimendi and Arteta is a “big fan” of the player.

If he’s available and willing, it seems Zubimendi is a genuine target. But the latest quotes suggest he might still prefer to stay where he is.

Zubimendi has a €60m (£51.4m) release clause in his deal, and he’s reportedly Bayern Munich’s top target for a summer transfer. Even if the player decides he wants to leave, Arsenal will face competition.