Martin Zubimendi is set to sign for a Premier League club at the end of the season, according to stunning reports.
Zubimendi has been the subject of intense transfer speculation following his performances for Real Sociedad in Spain's La Liga.
Liverpool had attempted to sign the Spanish international but failed in their pursuit last summer.
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But Zubimendi is on the verge of completing a deal to join Arsenal, who will formally trigger the player's £51 million release clause, according to The Daily Mail.
The star midfielder has been courted by Mikel Arteta for over 12 months and talks over a summer move are now at an 'advanced stage'.
The Gunners would like him to join immediately but Sociedad have insisted the player stays until the end of the season.
Zubimendi chose to stay in Spain last summer amid interest from Liverpool.
Arsenal didn't make a formal offer for the 25-year-old during the previous window.
But the club's pursuit for Zubimendi 'accelerated' with Jorginho and Thomas Partey both out of contract at the end of the season.
Manchester City had also expressed an interest in Zubimendi following the season-ending injury suffered by Rodri.
Zubimendi was asked about his decision to reject Liverpool last October.
Asked if he regretted not joining Liverpool, he replied: "Of course I don’t regret it, I can’t think that after four or five games at the start of the season. I made my decision from within.
"I thought it was the best thing to do, the results don’t affect me. I see potential in this team, you just have to watch us train and I’m excited about having a good season."
Zubimendi graduated from Sociedad's youth academy before breaking into the first-team.
He has made 209 appearances across all competitions for the club and is viewed as one of the leading midfield talents in European football.
Topics: Arsenal, Football, Premier League
Nasir Jabbar