DONE DEAL: Arsenal have just finalized the signing of £51M midfield maestro- Edu has been busy since yesterday’s victory trying to find a breakthrough and now all Papers have been signed- 4 years contract agreed as player bid farewell to his boyhood club- Jersey number picked as medicals is almost completed

Reports suggest that Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is on the verge of joining Arsenal, bidding farewell to his childhood club. Despite Arsenal’s previous attempts, they seem closer to securing the Spanish midfielder, who has been a standout performer for Sociedad since his debut in the 2019/20 season.

Zubimendi, a defensive midfielder often likened to Sergio Busquets, has been with Sociedad since he was 12 years old and has become a regular starter. While not as flashy as some players, he has accumulated 172 appearances and scored eight goals for Sociedad, earning four caps for Spain.

Despite recent links to Manchester United, Arsenal is now the frontrunner, as per a report from Nacional in Spain. The 24-year-old, who has a £51 million release clause, has apparently chosen Arsenal, with Sociedad acknowledging his departure and seeking a replacement.

At the season’s start, Zubimendi seemed hesitant to leave, but the situation has evolved, and Sociedad is preparing for the loss of one of their key players. Notably, he has turned down a move to Barcelona, making Arsenal the preferred choice over Aston Villa and Athletic Bilbao.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, is keen on securing Zubimendi’s services and is willing to meet the £51 million release clause. However, a January transfer appears unlikely due to Premier League financial regulations, and the release clause must be paid in a single installment, necessitating potential player sales by Arsenal.

Arteta is also eyeing a new striker, with Brentford’s Ivan Toney being a prominent target, albeit at a hefty £100 million price tag for a January move. The financial landscape and sustainability rules will likely shape Arsenal’s transfer decisions in the coming months.