Arsenal are convinced that they will do Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi Their first major summer signature despite the interest of real MadridSources said to ESPN.
Reports in Spain suggested that Madrid had taken a late step for the 26 -year -old, while Liverpool have also been interest.
However, sources have declared to ESPN that Arsenal was at an advanced stage of negotiations to conclude an agreement for Zubimendi, which has a liberation clause of 60 million euros ($ 68 million) in its Sociedad contract.
The boss of the Gunners, Mikel Arteta, is an admirer passionate about the player while the new sports director Andrea Berta also agrees to say that Zubimenddi would reinforce a midfielder who could be fixed for a reshuffle this summer.
Arteta Revealed last Friday that Arsenal wanted to extend Thomas ParteyContract, although it remains to be seen if an agreement can be concluded.
The Partey Agreement expires at the end of the season and a source suggested that he had to make a salary reduction in any agreement to stay at the club.
Italy international Jorginho is also out of contract in summer and he faces a race against the time to play this season after having undergone an injury to the coast earlier this month.
The 33 -year -old man was strongly linked to a move to Brazil after his representatives met both Palmeiras And Flammengo During the January transfer window.
Flamengo is the current overlaps of his signature, although prolonging his stay in Arsenal has not been completely excluded.
In any case, the arrival of Zubimendi is widely expected at the Emirates stadium and his signature would be considered as a coup d’etat since Liverpool effort to sign the player Last summer, only for Spanish to stay in Sociedad.
Sources have told ESPN that Real’s interest would increase if Xabi Alonso replacing Carlo Ancelotti as a head coach at Santiago Bernabéu. But there remains an uncertainty about the future of Ancelotti in the midst of speculation that he might not be in charge for the campaign of the World Cup of the Real club, which begins in June.
Arsenal targets several additions this summer with an attacker and a large striker among the positions they wish to strengthen. The Gunners have available funds, but, as with many clubs, would be open to allow certain players to leave to help strengthen their spending power.
Kieran Tierney will join Celtic on a free transfer this summer while Oleksandr Zinchenko is among those authorized to leave if an appropriate offer occurs.