Mikel Arteta given two clear reasons £50m Arsenal target must be signed in bold Rodri claim

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Reports are suggesting that Arsenal are already beginning to turn their heads to the transfer window.

Arsenal welcomed five players to the Emirates in the summer to join Mikel Arteta’s project.

Now that sporting director Edu Gaspar has left the Gunners, Arteta will be searching for a replacement for the Brazilian ahead of the upcoming winter transfer market.

Given how the Premier League season has started for the North Londoners, there’s an idea that January could be a busy time in N5, with one target for the summer already sounded out.

• READ MORE: Three players who could leave Arsenal in January as sources share transfer window update

Arsenal want to sign Martin Zubimendi in the summer transfer window

While focus will be on the upcoming January window, it’s the summer of 2025 that the Gunners have their sights on.

Reports suggest that Martin Zubimendi is a target for Arsenal, with Arteta hoping to hijack Manchester City and Liverpool’s ambition to sign the Spaniard.

Zubimendi, who has a €60m (£50m) release clause in place at Real Sociedad, is admired by Arteta, who wants to expand Arsenal’s options in the number six role.

The Euro 2024 winner is a player well-known to those in North London, being a teammate of David Raya and Mikel Merino at international level and, a former midfield partner of the latter in the Basque country.

Given how highly the combative midfielder is rated by clubs in the Premier League, all signs point to a statement signing by Arteta, as Arsenal need added depth in quality.

Luis de la Fuente thinks Zubimendi is second best to only Rodri

It’s not only Premier League sides who admire Zubimendi, with the player having a vast following in Spain.

One of his admirers comes in the form of Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente, who waxed lyrical about the Arsenal target only last month.

Speaking after Rodri’s season-ending injury, De la Fuente shared his view on where Zubimendi ranks next to the Man City star.

“Rodri is the best in the world, irreplaceable, but Martin is the second best,” the manager said during the October 2024 international break.

“He oozes assuredness from every pore; he doesn’t get nervous walking a tightrope with no safety net.”

Arteta should listen to De la Fuente’s assessment of the midfielder, who could offer two things that are necessary when identifying a player who could thrive in the Premier League.