Arsenal close on £51million transfer deal for Liverpool top target

Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of winning the race to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi – but he may not join the Gunners until next season.

Zubimendi has caught the attention of several top Premier League clubs with Liverpool eager to sign him last summer. However, the Reds were unable to complete a deal and seems to have move on to other players.

Talks over a summer move to Arsenal are now at an advanced stage with the player ready to move on from Sociedad. Zubimendi is known to have a £51million release clause written into his contract which Arsenal are now poised to trigger.

Though Arsenal are willing to have him on board this January transfer window, Sociedad are adamant that Zubimendi must stay in Spain and see the season out.

Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad  (Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)

The deal is regarded as a major coup for Arsenal, even though it was thought their most pressing priority this month would be a striker. Mikel Arteta also confirmed the club’s desire to do business in January, although he’s refused to make any promises over incomings.

He said recently: “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.”