Arsenal appear to be interested in Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi amid concerns over Thomas Partey.
Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi is one of Arsenal’s top midfield targets heading into 2024.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who has backed up 90Min’s claims that Arsenal fancy Zubimendi.
Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is now expected to be out for the rest of 2023, leaving Mikel Arteta a little short in midfield.
Partey has suffered injury problems for a long time now and Arsenal may be tempted to invest in another midfielder in 2024.
Arsenal scouting Martin Zubimendi
90Min report that Arsenal scouted Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi in action against Benfica in midweek.
The Gunners wanted to ‘check on the progress’ of Zubimendi ahead of a potential move.
Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain also had scouts at the game, seemingly targeting Zubimendi too.
The 24-year-old played the full 90 minutes as Sociedad beat Benfica 3-1, continuing their impressive Champions League campaign.
Fabrizio Romano comments on Arsenal wanting Zubimendi
Fabrizio Romano has now offered his information on the rumours, admitting that ‘it’s true’ that Arsenal are interested in the Spaniard.
Romano has stated on YouTube that people inside Arsenal think that Zubimendi ‘could be perfect’ for Arsenal’s style of play as the sitting midfielder.
Romano adds that Mikel Arteta is ‘especially’ keen on Zubimendi, which maybe shouldn’t be a surprise.
Zubimendi hails from San Sebastian, just like Arteta, and came up in the ranks of Artiguoko before shining for Real Sociedad – again, just like Arteta.
The problem is that Sociedad have no interest in selling and could demand the €60million (£52.5million) release clause in Zubimendi’s contract, representing a huge outlay in a January window.
“There are some player they appreciate, a lot of rumours about Zubimendi,” said Romano. “It’s true that people at Arsenal really like Zubimendi and believe that he could be perfect, especially Mikel Arteta, really appreciates him. But from what I’m hearing, the player is very happy at Real Sociedad, he’s not thinking about changing at the moment and he’s very happy about the opportunity to play in the round of 16 in the Champions League with Real Sociedad. So, at the moment, for Zubimendi, it’s not something that easy and also the cost could be really important, around the €60million release clause,” he added.
The post 'Especially Mikel Arteta': Romano claims Arsenal want £52.5m midfielder who 'could be perfect' appeared first on HITC.
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