Arsenal’s pursuit of midfield target Martin Zubimendi may have picked up a significant boost, thanks to an unexpected helping hand from Xabi Alonso, The Spaniard has reportedly derailed the ‘soon to be’ Bundesliga winners’ transfer plans by turning down offers from Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
Given that Mikel Arteta has long sought Zubimendi, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the player is still of interest to Arsenal. The Real Sociedad player, whose release clause is worth £51 million, has also attracted interest from Bayern and Barcelona with his La Liga performances.
Xabi Alonso is also among his many admirers. Should Bayern be successful in appointing the Leverkusen manager as their next head coach, Zubimendi would be their top choice. But since Alonso is staying put, their desire to sign the 25-year-old could be contingent on the selection of Thomas Tuchel’s successor.
The transfer situation surrounding Zubimendi
Barcelona are in a similar situation, with their interest appearing to cool without a head coach in place for next season. That leaves Arsenal in pole position for Zubimendi, who could complete a midfield with Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard next season.
Last summer, Zubimendi declined offers from other teams in order to play for Sociedad in the Champions League. He intended to stay at the club again in January after making it to the knockout stage, but Sociedad is unlikely to replicate their European endeavours as they are currently seven points behind Athletic Club in fourth place.
Furthermore, one of Arsenal’s own players has already offered Zubimendi the highest recommendation. During his season-long loan at Sociedad, Kieran Tierney was taken aback by the level of play of his new teammates.
“You have world-class players like Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Brais Mendez, It’s not that people don’t think they’re good, it’s just that if you’re only watching the Premier League every week, it’s hard to know. They’re world class.”,- Tierney said.
And Spain international Zubimendi could be the perfect replacement for Thomas Partey, with Arsenal increasingly likely to cash in on the Ghanaian with just over a year left on his contract at the Emirates.
Furthermore, with a little more than a year remaining on his contract at the Emirates, Arsenal is expected to cash in on Thomas Partey, making Spain international Zubimendi the ideal replacement.
Since Partey’s career has been disrupted by injury, Rice and Jorginho have been given more games. The two anchored Arsenal’s midfield in the team’s goalless draw against Manchester City on Sunday.
Arsenal can jump ahead of both Bayern and Barcelona with their summer transfer intentions while Alonso stays at Leverkusen. They can proceed with their plans to activate Zubimendi’s £51 million release clause and bring him to North London.
