Arsenal may still reignite their interest in Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, according to journalist Charles Watts.
The Gunners have been tracking the Spanish international for well over eighteen months and, writing in his Daily Briefing column, Watts said that Mikel Arteta’s side remain keen on the player:
“It will be interesting to see what happens with Martin Zubimendi once the Euros comes to an end. His future will be decided one way or the other and we know Arsenal are long-term admirers”
“Getting him out of Real Sociedad won’t be easy, as he has suggested himself given his love for the club, but I don’t think Arsenal have totally given up hope on that one yet.”
Arsenal already know how much it will cost to sign the midfielder
Zubimendo has a €60m (£51m) release clause in his contract which the Gunners will need to trigger if they want to secure his services this summer.
However, as Watts points out, the main stumbling block will be the player himself, who has made it clear on several occasions that he is happy to remain in San Sebastian.
Zubimendi is not the only option being considered
While the club appear to be focused on signing Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori at the moment, it is believed that a new midfielder is also a priority for Arteta.
In addition to Zubimendi, Arsenal have also been linked with the Spaniard’s Real Sociedad teammate Mikel Merino, Everton’s Amadou Onana, Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana and Benfica’s Joao Neves.
A lot will depend on the club’s transfer budget. Zubimendi and Onana would cost similar amounts, while Merino and Fofana would be cheaper deals to finalise. Neves, meanwhile, has a buyout clause worth €120m (£102m) so the Portuguese international would be the least likely to make the switch to the Emirates.
