Arsenal are reportedly prepared to walk away from their pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi after being left frustrated by a lack of progress in negotiations. Zubimendi has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium and is said to be Mikel Arteta’s top target ahead of the summer transfer window.
Arsenal were said to have been interested in a January move for Zubimendi but nothing materialised at that stage and he ended up staying in Spain. However, a deal could reportedly be done in advance of next season with Arteta keen to bolster his midfield in preparation for a renewed Premier League title challenge.
The Gunners are thought to be huge admirers of Zubimendi but there is a chance they could walk away from the table unless a speedy breakthrough is made in negotiations. A deal has stalled in recent weeks, according to HITC, with Arsenal growing increasingly frustrated over a lack of progress in talks with the player’s camp.
It is said that Zubimendi remains Arteta’s top midfield target, with the Spaniard convinced that he would be the perfect fit for the club next season. Arsenal are reportedly willing to pay his £51million release clause but the 25-year-old is yet to give the green light to the move.
The report adds that Arsenal are looking to get things wrapped up quickly and have informed Zubimendi they will move on if nothing can be agreed in the near future. He recently played down the speculation by insisting that he was happy at Sociedad and in no rush to leave the club for pastures new.
They are just rumours, I am happy at Real Sociedad, it is like my home,” Zubimendi told Spanish outlet Marca last month. “I cannot say that I will play my entire career at Real Sociedad, perhaps the club won’t want me to continue in the future, but I do not concern myself with these rumours.”
It remains to be seen who Arsenal will target if they fail to secure a move for Zubimendi, with a handful of other midfielders said to be of interest to the Gunners. They are reported to have already done their due diligence on the likes of Joao Neves, Amadou Onana and Bruno Guimaraes.
Aston Villa playmaker Douglas Luiz is also said to remain on Arsenal’s shortlist after initially being linked with the north Londoners last year. However, the fact that Villa have qualified for next season’s Champions League would suggest that any deal for the Brazilian is likely to be a non-starter.
