Arsenal can complete dream midfield with Zubimendi transfer - on £12m condition

Mikel Arteta faces one crucial decision before completing his dream Arsenal midfield with the signing of Martin Zubimendi. The Real Sociedad midfielder has many admirers at Emirates Stadium with football.london reporting the Gunners had continued to track him ahead of the January transfer window.

The Spain international was of interest to Barcelona this past summer but he chose to stay at Sociedad for the 2023/24 season. A spot being secured in the Champions League knockout stages by Sociedad has seen the chances of him departing decrease further even despite the seemingly attainable £52million release clause in his contract.

Despite this, interest from north London remains, although football.london understands a transfer being completed in January is unlikely at this stage. Declan Rice and Kai Havertz were both acquired in the summer to add some needed midfield depth, and Zubimendi is another option being looked at to address the long-term future of the club in midfield.

While Zubimendi's reluctance to move on remains a stumbling block, it is one that Arsenal believe they can bypass, but making funds available to complete the move is another challenge in itself. With the summer acquisitions of Rice and Havertz, along with Jurrien Timber, costing Arsenal in the region of £200million, there is not much available to Arteta and Edu in the way of funds if they wish to continue complying with FFP rules and regulations.

Prize money for this season's achievements will help matters, but the only real way to acquire funds imminently is to sell players, preferably ones that are homegrown. Acquiring pure profit from the sale of an academy star would significantly help matters and given the way his Arsenal career is going, that could be done through selling Emile Smith Rowe.

Aston Villa, Newcastle and even Chelsea have all been linked with the England international and him moving on in January cannot be entirely ruled out. According to CIES Football Observatories, the 23-year-old is currently valued at £12.8million, but obtaining more for his services should interest arrive is certainly possible.

While Zubimendi may not sign in January, even if someone like Smith Rowe departs, a summer switch could certainly be on the cards with the major business of most clubs expected to be completed then. Zubimendi has played 90 minutes in every La Liga game for Sociedad this season minus two, showcasing his importance to the core of Imanol Alguacil's side.