Arsenal are the most interested club in Martin Zubimendi and he’s a top target for Mikel Arteta, according to a new report from Spain.
Matteo Moretto confirms for Relevo that Arsenal are the most interested club in Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad, claiming “with absolute certainty” that the Gunners are bidding to sign the midfielder this summer.
Moretto adds that Zubimendi is a top target for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, and the club have moved quickly to try and secure a deal. Talks between the parties continue ahead of the summer window opening.
There had been some debate in the Spanish media over Zubimendi’s next destination for the last week, with AS claiming Arsenal were the front runners but COPE suggesting the player was increasingly close to a Real Madrid move.
As well as Moretto, David Ornstein also reported that he hasn’t heard anything on Real Madrid’s interest in Zubimendi, and Arsenal are expecting the midfielder to join in the summer.
Whether or not the deal is “completely done”, Arsenal are supposedly operating on the basis that they’ll be signing the player this summer, having already done a lot of legwork to get to this stage.
This all follows claims in January that Arsenal had all but completed a deal, with Arteta courting the midfielder for over a year and talks at an advanced stage.
Zubimendi is a key player for club and country at the moment, making 39 appearances for Real Sociedad this season and starting six of Spain’s last eight matches.
The midfielder was also a regular in the Spain squad as they won Euro 2024, making four appearances including 45 vital minutes to win the final following the injury to Rodri.