Step aside Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal can complete transfer for ‘insane’ midfielder for just £51m this summer

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Arsenal will be in the market for a new central midfielder in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Jorginho is expected to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, while Thomas Partey is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.

While reports suggest Partey could yet re-sign, the Gunners will still need at least one new recruit in the middle of the park.

Martin Zubimendi is understood to be Arsenal’s primary target, although a potential alternative for Andrea Berta to consider has emerged in reports this week.

• READ MORE: Real Sociedad may have just confirmed Martin Zubimendi’s summer exit amid Arsenal transfer links

Arsenal could sign Hugo Larsson for £51 million

Real Madrid are also interested in Zubimendi, meaning Arsenal may have to look elsewhere for their midfield acquisition this summer.

Encouragingly for the Gunners faithful, it appears that Berta and Mikel Arteta aren’t putting all their eggs in one basket, and are eyeing alternatives to the Real Sociedad man.

According to SportBILD, Arsenal are one of a number of clubs who are in the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson.

The Bundesliga outfit are demanding around €60 million (£51 million) for the Swede, a fee they believe is attainable if they qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Frankfurt are currently on course to secure a place in Europe’s elite competition, meaning suitors will likely have to stump up the asking price if they want to land Larsson.

Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham are also interested in the 20-year-old, although Frankfurt are intent on keeping him in Germany for another season.

The Eagles believe another year of developing under manager Dino Toppmoller would be beneficial for the youngster, although they could be seduced by an interested party meeting their asking price.

Would Hugo Larsson be a good signing for Arsenal?

Larsson is enjoying an impressive season at the heart of Frankfurt’s midfield, making 30 Bundesliga appearances and scoring three goals.

Described by football analyst Ben Mattinson as having ‘insane running power’, the starlet is certainly talented and boasts some exceptional raw athletic attributes.

However, he’s far from the finished article and Arsenal arguably need to make a win-now signing, not add someone who can be excellent in two or three years.

If Zubimendi were to come in and Partey and Jorginho were both to leave, then adding someone of Larsson’s profile to understudy the Spaniard would make sense.

However, this deal wouldn’t make sense at the mooted price, and thus, Arsenal should steer away from it.

Not yet a good enough passer, adding little value in the final third and struggling in certain phases defensively, Larsson isn’t ready to make an immediate impact at the highest level.