Arsenal closing in on Zubímendi transfer

Arsenal are closing in on the transfer of Martin Zubímendi from Real Sociedad.

Talks with the 26 year old have been continuing for months, and are now so advanced that it is being considered a “done deal’ internally.

Arsenal have already indicated that they are willing to pay his release clause of ₤51 million, and are looking to wrap things up quickly so they can focus on their main summer business, which is signing a new striker.

Gunners’ supporters though, are entitled to retain a degree of caution where Zubímendi is concerned, and will not celebrate until he has put pen to paper. Liverpool thought he had agreed to sign for them last summer, only for the Spanish international to back out at the last minute.

And the links with Real Madrid continue. If they change their manager – Xabi Alonso is being heavily tipped to take over from Carlo Ancelotti – then that could yet persuade him to move to the Bernabéu instead.

Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.