Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been in high demand for a number of years, with Arsenal and Real Madrid among those keen on the 26-year-old
Arsenal have privately informed Real Madrid their deal for Martin Zubimendi is all but done, it has been claimed. The Real Sociedad star is available this summer for a little north of £50million, and the Gunners appear to be leading the race by a distance.
Spain international Zubimendi looked set for Liverpool last summer, only to choose to remain in San Sebastian for another year. With La Real set to miss out on Champions League football, though, it appears he was only delaying an exit rather than dismissing one altogether.
According to Cadena Ser, Arsenal informed Real Madrid of the situation when members of the clubs’ respective boards met ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg. The Gunners are said to have told their rivals the deal was “practically finalised” before knocking them out of Europe.
The same report suggests Trent Alexander-Arnold remains destined for the Bernabeu, despite no announcement arriving over the Liverpool defender, with Xabi Alonso poised to take over from Carlo Ancelotti as manager. However, if Alonso does indeed take over, be may well need to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements.
By moving to North London, Zubimendi will be able to join former Real Sociedad team-mates Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino. Arsenal captain Odegaard spent the 2019-20 season on loan in the Basque Country while still owned by Real Madrid.
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Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay told Radio Marca Donostia there would be no decision on Zubimendi’s future until the summer. “We’ll see what happens. All I ask of him is one last effort to qualify for Europe and whatever happens, will happen in June,” he said.
“There’s no point in speculating now about whether he’ll be there. He’s had several opportunities to leave and he’ll make the decision he wants, because he’ll have more options.”
Even if they end the summer without Zubimendi, Real Madrid are expected to bolster their midfield ranks. Premier League stars Sandro Tonali and Alexis Mac Allister are on their shopping list, while they could also raid Arsenal for centre-back William Saliba.
Liverpool and Argentina star Mac Allister has been asked about Madrid links more than once, but has remained focused on his duties on Merseyside. He was part of the Reds squad which clinched the title on Sunday, scoring in a 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
“I read the rumours and the news reaches me, but the important thing is the present is no matter how much the club loves me, if I play poorly this weekend, they’ll lose interest,” Mac Allister told TyC Sports earlier in April. “I’m fine at Liverpool and I don’t have any need [to leave]. I have a lot of respect for the club, and I don’t think it’s necessary to talk about other clubs.”
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