‘Want him urgently’ – Arsenal keen on signing midfielder, ‘radical turn of events’ needed for deal in this window

Arsenal continue to chase Martín Zubimendi, a year after the Real Sociedad star turned down an opportunity to join them.

On January 10th, Mundo Deportivo suggested the Gunners could make an approach for the midfielder in the winter market.

Today’s Mundo Deportivo has a report on Arsenal’s interest and the La Liga side’s plans for the 24-year-old.

Mikel Arteta’s side and Bayern Munich are the two teams that are keen on signing the Spain international.

Zubimendi’s deal lasts until 2026 and has a €60m clause. Arsenal and the Bavarian club are described as European teams with ‘large enormous resources’ and both want him. With regards to the Gunners, the report states ‘they want him urgently’, meaning in this window.

Despite Arsenal’s firm interest, the player wants to continue with Real Sociedad, where he’s playing through pain and ‘risking his physical condition’. La Real wang to keep him at least until the end of this season.

As of now, Zubimendi will stay at Real Sociedad, ‘barring an unexpected and radical turn of events’.

Therefore, Mundo states: ‘Anyone who put their hand in the fire by assuring something that was going to happen in the last few days of the market has systematically been burned.’

Real Sociedad will find it difficult to retain Zubimendi beyond this season, and both Arsenal and Bayern could compete for his signature then.