Arsenal will likely be in the market for a new midfield player this summer.
Thomas Partey and Jorginho aren’t getting any younger, and, at some point, both players will have to be traded in for younger models.
There’s no time like the present, and Arsenal could look to sign a new defensive midfield player this summer.
Speaking on the Ranks FC Ultras Podcast, Dean Jones has shared an update on Arsenal’s pursuit of a new midfielder, and he claims that Martin Zubimendi is someone Arsenal would really like to sign, although, he’s not said to be that keen on a move to the Premier League.
Martin Zubimendi isn’t keen on a Premier League move
Jones shared what he knows about Zubimendi, sharing how Arsenal plan to convince the midfielder to join by using Mikel Arteta’s Basque connections.
“Is Zubimendi top of that pile?” Jones was asked.
“Yeah, he’s taking some persuading. The only thing Arsenal are hoping right now, he’s at Real Sociedad, Mikel Arteta used to play for Real Sociedad. He’s from San Sebastian, they’re hoping he can convince him,” Jones said.
“I don’t think he has a massive appetite to come to the Premier League. He’s pretty chilled with his life and how things are going.”
Mikel Arteta could be key
Getting Zubimendi out of Real Sociedad won’t be easy, but Mikel Arteta could be the ace up Arsenal’s sleeve.
There have been so many stories of the Spaniard convincing players to sign after one phone conversation, and given that Arteta understands what it means to be a Real Sociedad player and a local star at that club, he could use his own experiences to sway Zubimendi’s plans.
Zubimendi would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal. He’s very similar to Jorginho in terms of his style of play, as he’s brilliant on the ball and rarely makes a bad decision and, as we’ve seen this season, that sort of player can be fantastic alongside Declan Rice in the heart of this Arsenal side.
Mikel Arteta has a job on his hands when it comes to convincing the £60m man to join, but, if any manager is capable of undertaking this job, it’s the Arsenal gaffer.