Topics: Football, Transfers, Arsenal, Real Sociedad, Mikel Arteta, Barcelona, Xavi
La Liga star Martin Zubimendi is open to an Arsenal move according to a fresh report.
The Gunners are riding high at the top of the Premier League, some five points clear of last season’s champions Manchester City.
To consolidate their surprise title push Mikel Arteta has been active in the January transfer window.
After narrowly missing out on a move for Mykhailo Mudryk, the club have signed Brighton's Leandro Trossard and Spezia’s Jakub Kiwior.
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Meanwhile, the Gunners are also in the market for another midfielder, having been linked to Everton’s Amadou Onana and Real Sociedad’s Zubimendi.
Indeed, Zubimendi, a defensive midfielder, has been one of the standout players in La Liga this term, helping Sociedad reach third in the table.
Arsenal have been linked with Zubimendi throughout the January window, with the Gunners allegedly willing to pay the player’s £52million release clause.
Yet, the Spain international ruled out any possibility of leaving the Basque giants in January.
However, as per Cadena SER (via Sport), while Zubimendi turned down the opportunity of an imminent move, he would be open to a Premier League switch further down the line.
The Spanish publication claimed that the 23-year-old would be keen to move to Arsenal in particular and that a transfer could materialise in the summer.
It was also noted that Zubimendi and Arsenal manager Arteta share the same agents, which could help any prospective move in future.
However, the Spanish midfielder is in no rush to leave La Real, having just extended his contract until 2027. The club are just six points adrift of league leaders Barcelona, while they remain in the Europa League and the Copa del Rey.
It is thought that Barca had earmarked Zubimendi as Sergio Busquets' successor in the club’s midfield.
However, when asked to compare the two players Barca boss Xavi Hernandez highlighted marked differences in their respective games.
Xavi said: “They are different. Zubimendi is more physical, faster, and Busquets is better technically.”
