Arsenal’s deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is all but done, despite rumours that Real Madrid are looking to hijack the transfer.
The Gunners are looking to bolster their midfield this summer after Jorginho joined Flamengo on a free transfer.
Zubimendi has been linked with Arsenal for some time, and the North Londoners supposedly made their move for the Spaniard back in January.
However, Real Madrid reportedly tried to intervene and sign Zubimendi at the eleventh hour, sparking meltdown within the Gunners fanbase.
David Ornstein has now revealed via The Athletic that Arsenal regard the deal as done and that Los Blancos never actively worked on recruiting him.
How much Arsenal will now pay for Martin Zubimendi
Zubimendi impressed Arsenal fans with his performance for Spain against Portugal earlier this week, which only exacerbated the fears amongst the club’s supporters when rumours emerged that Real Madrid were trying to hijack his move to N5.
Ornstein has dismissed these reports, and now the focus is on when the player will arrive at the Emirates and the nature of the deal.
The transfer is expected to materialise in July, with Sociedad requesting Arsenal hold off on completing it for accounting reasons.
It was reported back in May that Arsenal wouldn’t pay Zubimendi’s £51 million release clause, and would instead negotiate a more favourable payment structure.
That has now been confirmed by The Athletic, who suggest that the Gunners will pay a total of around €65 million (£55 million), after reaching an agreement on an instalment plan.
It took months for Arsenal to reach this agreement with Sociedad, but it means they avoid paying a lump sum up front in the form of the release clause.
Arsenal can turn their attention to bolstering the forward line
Now that the Zubimendi saga appears to have been settled, Arsenal can turn their attention to strengthening Mikel Arteta’s forward line.
Arguably the most important acquisitions the Gunners will make this summer, they need to sign both a striker and a dynamic wide forward.
It’s understood that Arsenal are in advanced talks with RB Leipzig over a deal for Benjamin Sesko, who appears to be the North London outfit’s first-choice target.
The Gunners are pushing to finalise a deal for Sesko, which is seemingly close to coming to fruition.
Meanwhile, Rodrygo is Arsenal’s dream winger target, although they are still monitoring a host of other options, including the likes of Nico Williams, Ademola Lookman and Antoine Semenyo.
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