Arsenal set to sign £51m Zubimendi from Real Sociedad

The Real Sociedad star has been courted by Mikel Arteta for over 12 months and talks over a summer move are now at an advanced stage with sources indicating the deal is virtually completed.

Despite Arsenal’s current need for forward incomings owing to long term injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, the Emirates club have focused their attentions on getting a deal in place for Zubimendi.

Arsenal would like the midfielder to join immediately but Sociedad have insisted Zubimendi stays until the end of the season.

Zubimendi chose to stay in Spain last summer despite varying degrees of interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, though it is understood the Gunners didn’t make a formal offer for the player during the previous window.

There has also been interest in Zubimendi from Manchester City following the season ending injury suffered by Rodri.