Arsenal is reportedly edging closer to completing a deal for midfielder Martin Zubimendi that would see the Real Sociedad star join the Gunners in the summer
Arsenal is reportedly close to landing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
The Spaniard was Liverpool's top transfer target last summer, with the Reds agreeing a deal with the La Liga side for Zubimendi, only for him to spurn their advances in order to stay in the Basque Country. However, just under half a year later, the 25-year-old looks potentially set for a move to the Premier League to join Liverpool's Premier League title rivals.
Initially reported by the Mail, Arsenal has been working on a deal to land Zubimendi since the summer, with Mikel Arteta keen on landing the Spanish midfielder. Zubimendi has a release fee clause of $61.9m (£51m/€60m), a figure Arsenal is willing to pay.
The Mail add the deal is "virtually completed", with Zubimendi likely to join Arsenal next summer. There had been no indication Liverpool would go back in for Zubimendi this month, especially given the performances of Ryan Gravenberch in a deeper role this season.
Zubimendi turned Liverpool down last summer, and explained his decision for doing so to El Diario Vasco last month. "They were uncomfortable moments for me, because, as is normal, people talk a lot," Zubimendi said when asked about the talks surrounding his future last summer.
“But, anyway, you think about the pros and cons, thinking about it carefully, and you come to the conclusion that, well, for me the best thing was to stay at Real. Each one also looks at their personal progress a little. Because of who I am, the project, and the importance that I was going to have this year, I think that I still had steps to take at Real.
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