Manchester United are interested in signing Martin Zubimendi but the Real Sociedad midfielder might reject a summer transfer to Old Trafford in favour of joining Arsenal.
The 24-year-old is gaining substantial interest from all around Europe after another excellent campaign at the Anoeta Stadium this term. Zubimendi is an essential cog in the Txuri-Urdin’s engine room and helped get Imanol Alguacil’s side into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Real Sociedad had not reached the knockout stage of UEFA’s elite club competition since the 2003/04 campaign before this season. Zubimendi was crucial for their unbeaten progression in Group D, having played each minute in their ties with Inter Milan, RB Salzburg and Benfica.
Zubimendi could snub Manchester United for a transfer to Arsenal
Zubimendi has played a total of 2,483 minutes so far this term through 31 appearances in all competitions. The defensive pivot has also recorded four goals and one assist in 21 La Liga games. Now, Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United are studying his transfer.
That is according to Dean Jones, who claims that the Red Devils ‘like’ the four-cap Spainard. But Zubimendi is not sold on a move to Old Trafford over Emirates Stadium with Arsenal also in the race. Manchester United’s interest in Zubimendi is also not at an advanced stage now.
Further reports from AS also cite Zubimendi as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s top midfield transfer target. FC Barcelona are also monitoring Thomas Partey’s situation in north London as the Gunners may let the Ghanaian leave in the summer market if Arteta signs Zubimendi.
Arteta is putting plans in place to sign the sought-after anchor
Arsenal and Manchester United are far from alone in admiring Zubimendi, however. Fabrizio Romano reports that Barcelona and Bayern Munich also like the Real Sociedad ace. But he is not looking to leave the Anoeta Stadium and will not consider any move before the summer.
Zubimendi is determined to feature in Real Sociedad’s Champions League last 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain. But Arsenal manager Arteta is already putting plans in place to target a transfer this summer. The Spaniard is even leaving Bayern Munich feeling ‘afraid’ in the race.
That is according to Christian Falk, who claims that Der FCB fear Arsenal in the tug of war for Zubimendi’s transfer. Bayern Munich believed they would lead the race for his move as Real Sociedad would have to sell the Spaniard for bids of €60m (£51m) owing to a release clause.
Bayern Munich, like Arsenal, have also placed Zubimendi as their top midfield transfer target for the summer sales. The Bundesliga giants crave a deal for the midfield anchor Xabi Alonso loved whilst working together for Real Sociedad’s academy team during the 2019/20 season.
“Martin’s a player all coaches would want,” Alonso said, via quotes by the Irish Mirror. “He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself.
“He has that ability to generate play [and] to make those around him better, always offering solutions to improve the move. He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him [and] he has that ability to organise the axis. I loved working with him.”
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