Arsenal are expected to rebuild their midfield this summer, with Martin Zubimendi likely to arrive from Real Sociedad.
Jorginho is set to join Flamengo when his contract expires at the end of the season, while Thomas Partey is yet to sign a new deal.
Thus, the Gunners could lose two experienced players in the middle of the park, and will need to replace them accordingly.
Zubimendi is set to sign for Arsenal in a £51 million deal, with the Spaniard’s move to N5 agreed back in January.
Arsenal won’t pay Martin Zubimendi’s £51m release clause
Andrea Berta wants to sign a striker, a winger, a midfielder, a defender and a back-up goalkeeper this summer, and thus, will need to allocate resources efficiently.
This extensive list of areas that need addressing is likely to be costly from a financial perspective, meaning the Gunners will need to get the best possible deal on every signing they make.
According to the Athletic, Arsenal don’t plan to pay Zubimendi’s £51 million release clause, as they’re eager to avoid stumping up a lump sum.
The North London club want to avoid the situation that ensued when they signed Partey on deadline day from Atletico Madrid in 2020.
Arsenal paid Partey’s release clause at the eleventh hour that summer, which caused a dispute with Atletico, damaging their relationship with the Madrid club.
They also had to pay the entire £45 million fee up front.
Instead, with Zubimendi, Berta plans on leveraging the close relationship Arsenal have built with Real Sociedad to negotiate a more favourable payment schedule, which will likely involve the Gunners paying the La Liga outfit in multiple installments.
This will, in turn, reserve funds to be spent in other areas this summer, giving Arsenal greater flexibility in what is an imperative transfer window for them.
Andrea Berta’s Martin Zubimendi payment plan is an encouraging sign
Berta was appointed in late March, and thus, he remains something of an unknown to the Arsenal fanbase.
This summer will test his credentials as Edu’s replacement, but the report around the Zubimendi payment plan is certainly an encouraging sign.
Arsenal need to be diligent with the way they allocate their budget, given their extensive to-do list, and this suggests Berta is very much aware of that.
If the Italian is able to negotiate a three-part payment plan, not only will it demonstrate his ability to get what he wants when engaging with other clubs, but it will also showcase his foresight and planning capabilities.
Arsenal fans can certainly be excited about their new sporting director and what he might be able to produce this summer.
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