Exclusive: Arsenal looking at signing midfielder who makes just as many tackles as Declan Rice

However, Real Madrid are also keen on Zubimendi, and Arsenal may need to look into other options just in case they can’t sign the Spain international.

Arsenal are assessing other options, and they haven’t had to look too far afield for a plan B as they’re now interested in another La Liga midfielder.

Arsenal interested in Pablo Barrios

TBR Football’s Graeme Bailey understands that Arsenal are assessing other midfield options.

Real Sociedad star, Martin Zubimendi, is Arsenal’s first choice to bolster their midfield ranks this summer and began talks in January over a deal.

Talks have continued to try and hammer out a deal with Sociedad and Zubimendi, and whilst confidence remains, a deal is yet to be struck.

Arsenal are aware that Real Madrid are keeping close tabs on Zubimendi’s situation and some at the Santiago Bernabeu feel he is made for them, given Luka Modric’s pending departure this summer.

We also told that Bayern Munich can’t be discounted from the Zubimendi hunt either, as they are ready to move on from Joshua Kimmich.

With that in mind Arsenal are looking at other possible midfield options. They have previously been offered Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, whilst they have long admired Brazilian pair Ederson and Bruno Guimaraes.

However, TBR Football can reveal that Arsenal’s recruitment department continue to do work on other options and we can reveal that one player that has impressed them hugely this season is Atletico Madrid’s Pablo Barrios.

Barrios has come through the ranks at Atletico under Diego Simeone and was handed his first Spanish cap at the end of last year when he was called up to, coincidentally, to replace the injured Zubimendi.

Pablo Barrios stats this season

Arsenal fans would be forgiven for not knowing too much about Barrios. After all, he’s an emerging talent with fewer than 100 league games to his name.

However, make no mistake about it, this is a talented player, and his stats show you exactly what he’s about as a player.

Much like Zubimendi, Barrios is a player who is fantastic on the ball, boasting some excellent passing stats.

However, he’s also not afraid to do the dirty work in the midfield either, averaging 1.5 tackles per game – the exact same tally as Declan Rice this season.

Pablo Barrios stats this seasonPass success rate87%