Exclusive: Arsenal make decision on number one midfield transfer target

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC understands that Arsenal are ready to move on from top midfield summer target Martin Zubimendi.

Arsenal are set to be in for an important summer transfer window and a new midfielder is understood to be high on the list of priorities for Mikel Arteta.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is understood to be Arteta’s clear first choice for a signing in the middle of the park and the Gunners believe he would be a perfect fit for the North London club.

However, in recent weeks, a deal to take the Spanish midfielder has stalled with Arsenal becoming increasingly frustrated over the lack of progress on the transfer of the 26-year-old.

Arsenal’s frustration on Zubimendi

Sources have told HITC that Arsenal, if required, would be ready to pay his €60million (£51 million) release clause – but as yet the player has not accepted the overtures from England.

As the deal has dragged on, the Gunners have become more and more frustrated and they have informed the player’s camp that they are ready to move on from the Spaniard, if he does not accept their advances.

Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil insists that he believes his star midfielder will remain.

“Martin Zubimendi wants to stay here and for sure he will stay with us at Real Sociedad next season,” he told Marca.

“I have no doubts, he’s staying with us”.

If Arsenal continue to hit a brick wall with Zubimendi, then they are prepared to move on to other targets.

Arsenal’s alternative targets

There is a belief from those at the Emirates that the player has not yet accepted the overtures from the English side because Zubimendi has his heart set on a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid.

If that is to be the case, then Arsenal are prepared to move for different targets. The Gunners have already done their due diligence on other targets and these include Benfica midfielder Joao Neves, Belgian Amadou Onana and Bruno Guimaraes.

As well as these three options, they also remain keen on Douglas Luiz from Unai Emery’s Aston Villa. However, given Villa achieved Champions League qualification last season, it is accepted that any move for the Brazilian has been deemed a non-starter.

A younger midfielder to play alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, will be key for the Gunners this summer, but a move for Zubimendi is looking unlikely, at this moment in time.