May 8th 2024.
Mikel Arteta and Xavi, two renowned football managers, have their sights set on the same talented midfielder. According to reports from Spain, Barcelona is ramping up their efforts to acquire Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, but they face competition from Arsenal who currently has the upper hand.
At 25 years old, Zubimendi has had an impressive season at San Sebastian, catching the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs including Arsenal, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich. Arteta has been a long-time admirer of the midfielder, with rumors first surfacing in January 2023, and he is eager to strengthen his midfield this summer as there are doubts surrounding the futures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey.
Meanwhile, after a change of heart about leaving Camp Nou, Xavi has identified Zubimendi as his top target for the summer and as a potential replacement for Sergio Busquets. Sport, a Spanish newspaper, reports that Barcelona is currently leading the race to sign Zubimendi, with their sporting director Deco meeting with the player's agent, Inaki Ibanez, on Monday.
However, it was made clear to Deco that Real Sociedad will not engage in negotiations and will only consider selling Zubimendi if his release clause of €60 million is paid in full. This could be a stumbling block for Barcelona, who are unable to pay the fee in one upfront installment. On the other hand, Arsenal does not face such financial constraints, giving them a significant advantage in the pursuit for Zubimendi.
Despite this, Barcelona is still determined to secure the midfielder's signature and will continue to work on the deal. They may have to sell one of their players, such as Brazilian winger Raphinha, to fund the move if their economic situation changes. In contrast, Zubimendi has downplayed the speculation surrounding his future and insists he is happy at Real Sociedad, his "home."
When asked about the links to Arsenal and Barcelona, Zubimendi told Marca that they are just rumors and he is content with his current club. He acknowledges that he may not play his entire career at Real Sociedad, but he is not concerned about the rumors. If Barcelona fails to acquire Zubimendi, they could turn their attention to Joshua Kimmich, although it is unlikely he will push for a move if the new manager restores him to the midfield.
In other Arsenal news, Kai Havertz, a former Chelsea teammate, has made a harsh comment, and Antony has received criticism for his reaction with Mason Mount after Manchester United's defeat to Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Ian Wright has hit out at Jamie Carragher for "disrespecting" a Manchester United star. Paul Merson has also advised Chelsea to sign two players to catch up with Arsenal and Manchester City. To stay updated on all the latest Arsenal news, exclusives, and analysis, sign up and read more stories on our site. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
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