Arsenal came remarkably close to securing the £52.5 million($66 million) transfer of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, only to have the deal fall through later.
Mikel Arteta has been on a mission to revamp the midfield. Consequently, this pursuit led to a series of intriguing developments. However, Arsenal’s scouting net hasn’t been confined to Zubimendi alone. Fabrizio Romano mentioned that Arsenal’s scouts have been tracking defender Robin Le Normand as well from Real Sociedad.
Martin Zubimendi Opportunity Raises Questions
Initially reported as “very close” to joining Arsenal, Martin Zubimendi’s pursuit raised eyebrows when the deal failed to materialize. The 24-year-old midfielder, who showcased promise at Real Sociedad, has recently drawn attention from Barcelona and Manchester United as well.
The fact that he only signed a new long-term contract last October, featuring a release clause of around £53 million, complicates his potential departure. Arsenal’s interest in Zubimendi has been ongoing, with Fabrizio Romano noted,
“Arsenal sent their scouts to follow both Zubimendi and Le Normand this year as they’re doing excellent with Sociedad.”
However, the plans for these potential signings remain in the works, and Romano highlighted that Arsenal’s decision-making on new acquisitions will crystallize in the upcoming weeks.
The Spaniard’s future has garnered significant attention, with Barcelona considering him as a long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets. Even Manchester United display keen interest in Zubimendi.
Arsenal to Solidify Squad Depth Dilemma
Robin Le Normand’s performance this season, making 34 appearances for Real Sociedad, has drawn attention. The 26-year-old could bring defensive solidity to Arsenal’s lineup, but his release clause of around £44 million could present a financial challenge.
The departure of Granit Xhaka left a gap in Arsenal’s midfield, particularly for a defensive-minded player. While Declan Rice’s arrival addressed some of the concerns, the potential acquisition of Zubimendi could have provided a specialized solution. The abrupt halt in negotiations begs the question of whether Arteta still requires a player of Zubimendi’s profile to solidify the midfield’s defensive aspect.
Additionally, the acquisition of Kai Havertz from Chelsea provided further options in the No. 8 and No. 10 roles. Nonetheless, Arteta’s midfield shake-up is far from complete, with other potential signings on the horizon.
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