Arsenal could launch a double raid on Real Sociedad this summer having scouted duo Robin Le Normand and Martin Zubimendi.
Fabrizio Romano claimed just a couple of days ago that Arsenal have been watching the Sociedad duo ahead of the summer window.
Romano told Caught Offside that Arsenal have been eyeing both players but would have to pay big money.
Le Normand has a €50million (£44.5million) release clause in his contract and Sociedad want to claim that amount.
Zubimendi has been linked with Arsenal throughout 2023 and it’s no surprise that former Sociedad midfielder in Mikel Arteta fancies him.
The 24-year-old’s release clause is around €60million (£53.5million) and Barcelona have been heavily linked with him too.
That would be a £98million outlay from Arsenal, which is a little hard to imagine – but both Le Normand and Zubimendi appear to be very real targets for the Gunners.
Do Arsenal need Robin Le Normand and Martin Zubimendi?
Le Normand has enjoyed an incredible rise having mostly been a B team player for Brest in his native France.
After just one first-team appearance, Le Normand moved over to Real Sociedad B and really started his ascent.
Now with nearly 200 first-team appearances for Sociedad, Le Normand has become one of the top defenders in Spain.
Rob Holding is doing his best in place of William Saliba but Arsenal may chase another right-footed centre back to really take their squad depth to another level.
Le Normand would fit the bill with his reading of the game and his ability on the ball, but it’s hard to imagine Arsenal paying £44million for the 26-year-old.
Zubimendi makes a little more sense but maybe not as the top summer target for Arsenal.
We can see the Gunners focusing on Declan Rice as their top midfield target but alternative options will be in mind.
Zubimendi is more of a deep-lying playmaker with outstanding control in tight areas and the ability to play through the lines.
We could see Zubimendi playing the lone anchor role in Arteta’s side, but Jorginho and Thomas Partey are available for that role.
The profiles of Le Normand and Zubimendi make sense for how Arsenal play but their price tags and make summer moves unlikely.
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