Arsenal are confident of sealing the transfer of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi as talks are progressing well, according to Charles Watts in his Daily Briefing column.
The Spain international has been a star performer for Sociedad in recent times and looks like he’d surely be a terrific addition for Arsenal as well.
The Gunners need someone like Zubimendi next season, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho both about to come to the ends of their contracts.
Speaking exclusively to CaughtOffside for his latest column, Watts provided an update on his understanding on the Zubimendi to Arsenal saga, following reports of this deal being all but done for the summer.
It seems nothing is quite done yet, according to Watts, but he says Arsenal are confident after progressing into advanced talks.
“Martin Zubimendi is a player we’ve known for a long time features high up on Mikel Arteta’s list of targets,” Watts said.
“Talks over a summer move have progressed well and there is a confidence that a deal can happen, but nothing has been signed yet.
“And we know there are huge clubs across Europe that are also interested in the Real Sociedad star, so until contracts are signed it’s impossible to say with absolute certainty that Zubimendi will be an Arsenal player next season.
“We saw with what happened with Liverpool and Zubimendi last summer how quickly things can change when it comes to the transfer market.
“But it’s a deal Arsenal understandably would like to get done and have been working on. With Thomas Partey and Jorginho likely to leave in the summer there is a clear need to bring in a high quality No.6 and there are few better No.6s around Europe right now than Zubimendi.”
He added: “I know there are suggestions that Arteta told Zubimendi to reject Liverpool and wait for Arsenal. To be honest, I have no idea if that is true or not.
“But there’s no doubt Arteta will have been absolutely key to Arsenal’s attempts to land the midfielder and should they get the deal over the line, the Arsenal manager will have played a massive part in that.”
Zubimendi looks ideal for Arsenal’s long-term needs in midfield, but fans will also be desperate for a new striker, with Watts discussing the latest on Benjamin Sesko here.
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