Arsenal transfer news: Fabrizio Romano says Gunners almost signed £52m star

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Arsenal almost reportedly made a move to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi before opting for Jorginho on deadline day, with the Gunners keen on the La Liga star.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the north London side considered signing the 24-year-old European talent on the final day of the January transfer before. However, Mikel Arteta instead decided on signing Jorginho from Chelsea on an 18-month deal.

Romano said: “Martin Zubimendi is one of the players Arsenal also considered for their midfield, but Jorginho was a good option and they decided to proceed for him because Mikel Arteta is a big fan and wanted Jorginho when the Moises Caicedo deal collapsed.”

With a reported release clause of €60m (£52m), Arsenal seemingly made the decision to sign Jorginho instead of Zubimendi due to finances, with the Gunners landing on the Italian international from Chelsea in a transfer believed to be worth £12m in total according to Eurosport.

Whilst Arsenal chose against signing Zubimendi, that’s not to say a move is out of the question in the future, with Arteta and Edu Gaspar now widely expected to sign two top central midfielders in the summer as long-term partners for club captain Martin Odegaard.

Indeed, although Zubimendi might not be a top pick compared to Moises Caicedo and Declan Rice, there is every expectation that the Spaniard will be an option for Arsenal, and the Sociedad star could be an excellent addition even if the Gunners miss out on their main targets.

Arsenal should have signed Zubimendi on deadline day alongside Jorginho

Arsenal’s deadline day was an interesting one, to say the least, with the Gunners signing Jorginho yet allowing Albert Sambi Lokonga to leave on loan. And as a result, central midfield still remains an area short in quality options, which is why Zubimendi should have been brought in.

With a fixed asking price, the Sociedad star would have been a welcome addition for the Gunners as well as a potential foil for Odegaard and Thomas Partey in midfield, with the 24-year-old ideal as a long-term replacement for Granit Xhaka in the squad.