BREAKING: Arsenal set to sign 25-year-old midfield star this summer – deal almost done as Gunners trigger release clause

According to the very reliable Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel, Arsenal will land long-term target Martin Zubimendi at the end of the season.

The Real Sociedad star has been of interest by Mikel Arteta for over 12 months and talks over a summer move are now at an advanced stage with sources indicating the deal is close to being finalised.

The club have put more effort on getting a deal in place to sign Zubimendi.

Despite interest from the Gunners and Liverpool in the Summer, he chose to stay at Sociedad while Manchester City were also interested after Rodri's season ending ACL during the clash against Arsenal back in September.

Arsenal's need for a new midfielder has increased with Jorginho and Partey both being out of contract at the end of the season, causing the club to push with talks for Zubimendi. No final decisoon has been made on offering new deals for Jorginho or Thomas Partey at this time.

Arsenal plan to trigger the £51m release clause with personal terms now believed to be agreed between the club and the player.

Attention now switches to strengthening forward options for this month as the club look to cope with a growing injury list including Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Ethan Nwaneri, though the 17-year-old is now back working on grass again this week. Arteta said in today's pre-NLD presser:

”We are actively looking in the market to improve the squad. That's been like that since day one." 'It would be naive not to do that. It's an opportunity to improve the squad. We are looking. We are trying. Let's see what we can do.”