Arsenal are very interested in signing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi during the summer transfer window, according to The Athletic.
The north London giants are likely to recruit a new defensive midfielder with the prospect of Thomas Partey being sold in the forthcoming weeks.
Amidst this, The Athletic report that the Gunners are determined to sign Zubimendi, and manager Mikel Arteta is a keen admirer of his Spanish compatriot.
However, they face difficulty in persuading Zubimendi to leave the Basque region. He has a £50 million release clause in his contract but has shown no desire to move.
ARSENAL SHOULD NOT BE DRAGGED INTO LONG TRANSFER SAGA
Partey had another injury-plagued campaign for the Gunners. He had to wait until early April to make his first start of the year in the Premier League.
Zubimendi would be a quality signing with his good distribution, close ball control and aerial presence.
However, there has been no indication whatsoever that the Spaniard would prefer a new challenge away from his boyhood club in the upcoming window.
The 25-year-old has said in the past that he has no reason to leave the La Liga outfit unless the board make the decision to sanction his departure.
In our view, Arsenal should avoid being dragged into a long transfer saga for him. They need to move on if he does not wish to part ways with Sociedad.
