Arsenal are willing to offer a long-term “lucrative contract” transfer points to Martín Zubimendi for next summer, according to a report from football transfers through Football London.
It is not the first time we have heard the name of the Real Sociedad midfielder linked to Arsenal and it surely will not be the last. Mikel Arteta He appears interested in bringing his compatriot to north London and the club are expected to make a move this summer.
The Spanish international is one of the greatest talents in La Liga. At 25 years old, he could be ready to take the next step in his career. Zubimendi, number 6 by trade, is touted as the ideal long-term replacement for Thomas Partey.
Zubimendi has been present this season in Imanol Alguacil's team, playing 41 games, scoring four goals and giving one assist.
His impressive form has caught the attention of Arsenal and the report says the Gunners are ready to offer the midfielder a bumper five-year deal worth £115,000 a week (double his current salary) to move to the club this summer.
Zubimendi has a very achievable goal £51 million release clause in his contract, so as not to go bankrupt, but Arsenal are not the only club showing strong interest, so they face a fight to sign their main target.
The key to freeing Declan Rice?
On a superficial level, one might wonder why Arsenal need a player of Zubimendi's pedigree when they already have the impressive Declan Rice in their ranks. However, thinking more and more about this, the transfer seems to make a lot of sense.
It took Mikel Arteta some time to find his best XI this season, but Arsenal seem to play their best football when they have Jorginho and Declan Rice on the pitch. The presence of the Italian seems to free the Englishman, who then moves to more dangerous positions and is capable of consistently contributing goals and assists.
Being the shrewd operator that Arteta is, he would realize that, as good as Jorginho may have been, he is past his prime. Signing Zubimendi would be, in many ways, like signing a young Jorginho. Having the Spaniard as number 6 in the team could free up Declan Rice and make him even more powerful than he already is.
If the Gunners want to sign Zubimendi, they would ideally consider activating his release clause, as negotiating with Real Sociedad could make this matter much more expensive than it already is. Signing the 25-year-old would probably also mean the end of the road for Thomas Partey at Arsenal.
Given the circumstances, signing Zubimendi makes sporting sense. Arsenal will have to sit down and reassess what their priorities are in the transfer market next summer. A striker seems to be a necessity. However, if the Gunners can pull off this deal for Zubimendi, it would be a significant coup.
