The Gunners have been linked with Zubimendi for months, with Arteta seeking a reinforcement in the midfield who corresponds to his qualities.
With the 25-year-old off the table, who might Arteta turn to next?
FootballTransfers has teamed up with data analytics firm SciSports to examine the possibilities based upon the following criteria:
Who should Arsenal sign instead of Zubimendi?
Casting aside an option unattainable like Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga, Rodrigo Bentancur of rivals Tottenham, and another that is highly improbable in the form of Sandro Tonali because of his gambling ban, Arsenal are left with three clear options.
Bruno Guimaraes is a particularly interesting name given he is the one who corresponds most closely to Arteta’s desire to sign players with Premier League experience.
The Newcastle star, of course, has been closely linked with Arsenal already this summer. While the Gunners' interest has cooled because of the Magpies' insistence that the Brazil international’s release clause of €117.5 million (£100m), the financial position of the St James’ Park club could yet see a shift in policy to benefit Arsenal.
Bruno Guimaraes has been repeatedly linked with Arsenal
Bruno Guimaraes has been repeatedly linked with Arsenal
Similarly, there have been tentative links between the Gunners and Manuel Locatelli.
Arsenal chased the Juventus midfielder in 2021 while his exclusion from Italy’s Euro 2024 squad gives the North London side plenty of time to negotiate a deal.
Haidara, meanwhile, offers a more leftfield option. The Mali international played 27 times for RB Leipzig last season but was one of the leading central midfielders in the Bundesliga, excelling particularly in a defensive sense.
With Arteta seeking to unlock Rice in an offensive sense, the former Salzburg man might be just what he needs to allow the England international to use his attacking capabilities, and with an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of just €23m, he could be one of the bargains of the summer.
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