Arsenal have done a verbal agreement to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi before the start of the summer transfer window. The Gunners have been enthralled by the 26-year-old, who rejected a move to Liverpool, but persistence may finally have paid off.
Seen as a key January target, Zubimendi is expected to become the first signing under the new sporting director Andrea Berta, although much of the groundwork was set up through his predecessors Edu and Jason Ayto. The reports suggest that the Spain international player has agreed to personal terms and that Arsenal will now activate his €60m (£50.8m) release clause once the transfer window opens in June.
There was also interest from Real Madrid, in part for their plan to sign more players homegrown in Spain, but Zubimendi has instead chosen to head to the Premier League and the Emirates. There were fears that Zubimendi could pull out for a second time, having branded off from a Liverpool deal last summer, but Arsenal are still hopeful the deal will be completed smoothly.
With Zubimendi practically confirmed, Arsenal will now focus on previous targets, such as Joan Garcia, a goalkeeper from Espanyol, and a top striker. Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP is at the head of the list alongside Benjamin Sesko and Alexander Isak, who is valued at £150m by Newcastle.
