ARSENAL could reportedly make a January swoop for the man many believe will be Rodri’s long-term successor for Spain.
The Gunners are once again firmly in the title race and go into the hectic festive period one point clear at the top.
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Having been ahead for the majority of last season only to be pipped to the Premier League by Manchester City, Mikel Arteta is desperate to see no repeat of that this term.
And that could see the Arsenal manager dip into the transfer market to bolster his squad.
According to The Athletic, the North London club “will be on alert” once the window opens but any new arrivals will depend on the “usual considerations such as injuries, profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).”
While it goes on to explain how they may have to sell in order to splash the cash, it also states that they could reignite a potential swoop for a man they missed out on a year ago.
Having “explored” the idea of signing 24-year-old midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad previously, their “interest remains strong” in him.
The ace has come through the ranks with the LaLiga side and he played a key role in helping them to qualify for this season’s Champions League.
And he has also gone on to help them, like Arsenal, to go on and reach the knockouts of Europe’s top cup competition.
The star’s skillset has often been likened to Man City’s fellow Spaniard Rodri, and his displays are also catching the eye elsewhere.
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Barcelona are also keen on Zubimendi, who just recently signed a contract extension to keep him at Sociedad until 2027.
This fresh update states that the deal does include a release clause but Arsenal still need “multiple factors to combine to make it happen”.
And the main one would be him agreeing to leave his boyhood team for them.
The four-capped Spain ace recently claimed that he is happy to stay at the team he has developed through the academy system with.
He said: “I have never planned to leave Real Sociedad, I always say that.
“I love life here, at home, I’m so happy here.
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“The values of this club are the same as mine so I feel very good, I always said that I’m happy.”
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