Player Arsenal are pushing to sign now is very similar to Toni Kroos, Berta has made a big salary offer

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Arsenal and Real Madrid have often found themselves together in the headlines in recent months.

It all started when the Gunners absolutely battered the Galacticos in the Champions League quarter-finals. Mikel Arteta’s men won 3-0 in the first leg and 2-1 in the second to knock the then-holders out of the competition.

Since then, Real Madrid and Arsenal have locked horns in the race to sign Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad.

That transfer saga is still not over, if reports from Spain are to be believed.

Real Madrid think Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi plays like Toni Kroos

Martin Zubimendi has been the talk of the town for quite some time now.

The Spain midfielder has been fantastic for Real Sociedad for a few years, and he has attracted interest from several big clubs.

Arsenal are confident that they will sign Zubimendi, and AS claim that Real Madrid will not be able to match the Gunners’ salary offer to the player, which is €10 million (£8.4m) net a year.

The Galacticos are only prepared to offer around €7 million for the first year, but that figure will progressively increase in the coming seasons.

However, the report claims that Los Blancos will make one final attempt to land Zubimendi because they feel he is the best option available on the market.

Real Madrid reportedly believe that Zubimendi is a ‘(Toni) Kroos-style player who averages close to or above 100 passes per game with a completion rate above 90 per cent, and one who helps the team overcome the problems they have had this season in getting the ball out from the back’.

As things stand, Zubimendi still remains Arsenal-bound, but if there’s one club that can ruin everything, it’s Real Madrid.

Arsenal should be prepared for last-minute issues in Martin Zubimendi deal

Zubimendi is no stranger to having a late change of heart.

In the 2024 summer transfer window, just when Liverpool thought they were about to sign him, the Real Sociedad midfielder rejected them and stayed put.

That may not happen for the second year in a row, but it would be wise on Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta’s part to have backup options just in case this deal breaks down.

The last thing Arsenal need is to miss out on Zubimendi and have nobody else to fall back on – that would be a disaster going into the new season.