Arsenal May Abandon Pursuit of £51m Transfer Target as Talks Stall
Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of withdrawing from negotiations to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, despite Mikel Arteta’s keen interest. Zubimendi, strongly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, has been identified as Arteta’s primary target for the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Spanish midfielder was a subject of interest during the January transfer window but chose to remain in Spain. Expectations were high for a potential summer move, as Arteta looks to bolster his midfield for another Premier League title bid. However, negotiations have recently stalled, leading to frustration within the Arsenal camp.
According to HITC, Arsenal are prepared to walk away from the deal unless significant progress is made soon. Despite being ready to trigger Zubimendi’s £51 million release clause, the player has not yet committed to the transfer.
Arteta remains convinced that Zubimendi would be an ideal fit for the squad, and Arsenal have made it clear that they need to finalize the deal quickly. Zubimendi, however, downplayed the transfer speculation in a recent interview with Marca, stating, “They are just rumors, I am happy at Real Sociedad, it is like my home. 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 rumors,” as reported by the Express.
Should Arsenal fail to secure Zubimendi, they have several other midfield targets in mind, including Joao Neves, Amadou Onana, and Bruno Guimaraes. Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa remains a potential option as well, though Villa’s Champions League qualification could complicate a move for the Brazilian.
As the summer transfer window approaches, Arsenal’s plans to strengthen their midfield remain uncertain, hinging on the resolution of their negotiations with Zubimendi. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Arteta gets his top target or if the club will pivot to alternative options.