Arsenal want to sign 24yo 'urgently' this winter, €60m release clause in contract - report

Arsenal want to sign Real Sociedad

midfielder Martin Zubimendi urgently during the winter transfer window, according to Mundo Deportivo – Gipuzkoa edition.

The Spaniard has been one of the best performing defensive midfielders in La Liga and he has been touted to leave Sociedad over the past couple of seasons.

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It is now reported that Arsenal and Bayern are interested in signing the 24-year-old and Mikel Arteta’s side in particular want to secure his services ‘urgently’.

However, Zubimendi wants to continue making history with Sociedad, but it could be hard to keep him this summer. He has a €60 million release clause in his contract.

Arsenal could replace Partey with Zubimendi this summer

Thomas Partey has had another injury-plagued campaign and he has made just five appearances in the current season. The Ghanaian has been sidelined with two separate injuries.

He has returned in time for the congested schedule starting from this week, but there are doubts over his fitness and whether he can stay unscathed over a prolonged period.

With his contract expiring in June 2025, the club may want to recoup some of the €50m fee to bring him from Atletico. The midfielder could move to Saudi Arabia this summer.

In our view, Zubimendi could be his replacement. Arteta is a long-term admirer of the Spaniard and he first attempted to sign him from Sociedad at the start of last year.

The midfielder turned down proposals to join Arsenal last winter and last summer, but the Gunners could be third time lucky as he is more likely to move on later this year.

Zubimendi could be a perfect foil for Declan Rice and could allow the latter to play in a central role. He has won nearly two tackles per game and 66 per cent of his aerial duels this term.

He has also made 5.5 recoveries and 1.7 clearances per outing. At 24, Zubimendi is just entering the peak of his career and would be a superb piece of signing for the Gunners this summer.