Arsenal are pursuing a deal to sign midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad next summer.
The move for the 25-year-old has been worked on for a considerable time and if an agreement is reached will come a year after Liverpool failed in their own bid to sign the Spain international.
Mikel Arteta is the key driver behind a pursuit that was reinvigorated in the process of negotiating with their La Liga counterparts for the signing of Mikel Merino in August.
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Merino, Zubimendi’s international team-mate, went on to join in a deal worth €33.5million (£28.4m) alongside €5m in variables.
Liverpool were interested in signing Zubimendi last summer, with Real Sociedad anticipating he would join the Merseyside club.
Liverpool believed the player was initially open to the move, but Zubimendi ultimately decided against a transfer to Anfield.
Arsenal’s interest comes with central midfielders Thomas Partey and Jorginho both having contracts which expire at the end of the season.
Zubimendi, a product of Real Sociedad’s academy, has made 210 appearances for his boyhood club since his debut in 2019.
This season he has made 22 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal.
He has 15 caps for Spain, including four during the European Championship-winning campaign last summer.
(Angel Martinez – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
