MARTIN ZUBIMENDI will complete a medical in the coming days ahead of his £51m switch to Arsenal.
The Real Sociedad midfielder has been in advanced talks with the Gunners since January and is on the verge of becoming Mikel Arteta’s first capture of the summer.
Personal terms and relevant documents have already been signed and agreed, as well as the payment structure around the Spaniard’s £51m release clause.
Senior Arsenal figures expect the deal to be completed swiftly as they also target landing a striker – with Sporting Lisbon’s £60m-valued Viktor Gyokeres a top priority.
Once Zubmendi, 26, passes his medical, he will be announced as an Arsenal player.
He will provide depth to a midfield that has already lost veteran Jorginho, who is heading to Brazilian outfit Flamengo on a free transfer with his Emirates deal expiring next month.
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Thomas Partey is also out of contract, but the club are in talks to extend his stay after an impressive campaign, while Albert Sambi Lokonga – who spent last season on loan at Sevilla – will see a one-year extension triggered on his contract.
Zubimendi is highly rated by Arteta, who convinced the Euro 2024 winner of the North London project after he turned down a switch to Arne Slot’s Liverpool last summer.
It is the start of a huge summer of incomings for Arsenal as they prepare to splash around £200m on new talent to fire them to Premier League glory next term.
Swedish striker Gyokeres, 26, is viewed as an ideal attacking signing following a two-year stint in Portugal that has seen him bag 97 goals in 102 appearances in all competitions, and is favoured by sporting director Andrea Berta.
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Sporting vice-president Francisco Salgado Zenha revealed this week: “He has three more years on his contract. At the moment there are no offers.
“We want to keep the best players and retain talent. We want to continue to be champions, have competitive teams and fight on all fronts.
“But the market is not under our control, we are always dependent.”
Red Bull Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, 21 – valued between £60m and £70m – is also on Arsenal’s radar, having attempted to sign the Slovenian last summer and in the winter window.
There is still a chance Arteta could make a move for Sesko, but SunSport understands there is a concern over his age and experience at the top level, needing the player to hit the ground running in the Prem.
Chelsea are also interested in Sesko as they prepare to sign a No.9 this summer too.
Arsenal are also considering moves for £50m-rated Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, 22, as well as £25m-valued Espanyol back-up keeper Joan Garcia, 24.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
