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Arsenal are reported to be closing in on their first summer signing, Martin Zubimendi, who currently plays in Spain for Real Sociedad.
The Gunners have made strengthening and refreshing their midfield a priority in the close season, with Thomas Partey, Granit Zhaka, and Mohammed Elneny all the wrong side of 30, or about to get there.
Whilst a host of names have been linked with a move to the Emirates, including Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo, Zubimendi may be the first through the door, according to reports in Spain.
The 24 year old has a release clause of £53 million, but it seems that Sociedad are very close to accepting the Gunners offer.
Barcelona also want to sign him, but they must sell before they can buy first this summer because of La Liga FFP rules, and they seem set to miss out.
Zubimendi has been on the radar of Arsenal for months now, although their interest has been kept below the radar.
Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.