Arsenal are reportedly hoping to steal a march on Liverpool in the race for Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi by formulating a lucrative wage package for the midfielder.
The 25-year-old has earned plenty of plaudits for his exploits in a defensive midfield role this season, even managing four goals and one assist in 27 La Liga matches.
Zubimendi's efforts helped Sociedad qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League, as the midfielder played every minute of a group stage where Imanol Alguacil's side kept four clean sheets and conceded just two goals.
Sociedad's European adventure was brought to an end with a 4-1 aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16, and Alguacil's side also experienced knockout disappointment in the Copa del Rey, losing to Mallorca on penalties in the semi-finals.
Despite their recent shortcomings, Zubimendi's performances as Alguacil's number six continue to catch the eye, and the 25-year-old earned two of his four caps for Spain in November's Euro 2024 qualifying wins over Cyprus and Georgia.
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At the start of the 2022-23 season, Zubimendi agreed a new long-term contract with Sociedad until the summer of 2027, although he is understood to possess an affordable release clause worth €60m (£51.3m).
Such a price tag would prove no trouble for Liverpool or Arsenal, who are being tipped to go head-to-head for Zubimendi's signature this summer, and the Gunners appear determined to fend off interest from their Merseyside counterparts.
According to FootballTransfers, Arsenal are willing to offer the 25-year-old a weekly wage packet of £115,000 on a five-year contract, which would double his current pay at Real Sociedad.
However, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are also attentive to the situation, and Arsenal will reportedly push for an early response from Zubimendi's camp before moving on to alternative targets should their offer fall short.
While much has been made of Arsenal's desire to sign a new centre-forward, the Gunners could part ways with as many as three midfielders at the end of the season, when Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny's contracts will expire.
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Elneny has played just six times for the Gunners in 2023-24 and is likely to move on, but Arsenal are said to be planning renewal talks with Jorginho, whose deal already includes a 12-month extension option.
Meanwhile, Thomas Partey's contract only runs for another 15 months, and owing to his repeated struggles to stay fit, the Ghana international could also be allowed to depart for the right price this summer.
Zubimendi being brought in to the number six role would allow Declan Rice to feature more regularly in his new advanced position, which has seen the £105m man directly contribute to 13 goals in 39 games since his record-breaking arrival from West Ham United.
A prolific period since the start of February has seen Rice score three goals and set up four more in his last five Premier League matches, helping Arsenal rise to the top of the table over Liverpool on goal difference.
The Gunners are also into the quarter-finals of the Champions League thanks to their dramatic penalty-shootout success over Porto on Tuesday night and will enjoy an extended break before travelling to reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on March 31.
Ben Knapton
