Arsenal have reportedly moved ahead in the race to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in the summer.
The 24-year-old has been a key figure for the Spanish club this season, playing 20 La Liga matches and scoring four goals from the engine room, assisting once.
Zubimendi graduated from Sociedad's academy in March 2019 and has gone on to feature 172 times for the Champions League-competing side, netting on eight occasions.
The midfielder also possesses relative international pedigree, earning four caps for Spain's senior team since his debut in the summer of 2021.
According to Spanish publication AS via The Mirror, Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Real Sociedad's Zubimendi ahead of other potential suitors.
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The report claims that the playmaker will not link up with the Gunners in this month's transfer window, though, but instead wait for a summer move.
It is understood that Zubimendi is close to agreeing a pre-contract with Mikel Arteta's side, committing the player's future to Arsenal for the 2024-25 campaign and onwards.
La Liga giants Barcelona are also said to be big admirers of the 24-year-old, but it is believed that Xavi's men have turned their attentions away from a move for the midfielder.
Zubimendi would likely join Declan Rice in a deeper-lying midfield role for the Gunners, with the England international joining from West Ham United for £105m in the summer.
Despite their well-known struggles in attack in recent matches, Arsenal hit out-of-form Crystal Palace for five at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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First-choice striker Gabriel Jesus failed to make the net ripple against the Eagles but he did provide an assist, while fellow Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli bagged a brace in added-on time at the end of the second period.
Ending a three-game winless streak in the Premier League with a resounding success over Roy Hodgson's side, the Gunners moved up to third in the top-flight standings, five points behind league leaders Liverpool.
It is understood that Arsenal were considering a January move for Sociedad's Zubimendi, who has a £52m release clause in his contract at the Spanish outfit.
However, with big outlays being spent on Rice and Kai Havertz during the summer, it is understood that Arteta's side must be careful with their spending this month.
Carter White
