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Arsenal eyeing move for Zubimendi to replace Partey

By on March 15, 2024

Martin Zubimendi Real Sociedad

According to journalist Charles Watts, via Caught Offside, Arsenal are eyeing a move for Martin Zubimendi this summer but could also target Amadou Onana or Douglas Luiz in their search for a midfielder.

Aside from a summer striker move, the other hot transfer story in Arsenal gossip columns is the recruitment of a top midfielder this summer.

Several players have been linked with a move to Arsenal, and respected journalist Charles Watts has taken his time to provide an update on Mikel Arteta’s midfield plans at the end of the season.

According to Watts, Arteta wants Jorginho to stay but is ready to cash-in on Thomas Partey if the right offer arrives. Partey will have just one year left on his contract this summer and Arsenal are ready to sell the injury-prone Ghanaian.

Arsenal targets

If Partey leaves, a replacement will be needed and Watts days the Gunners feel Zubimendi would be the ideal replacement with Arteta a ‘big admirer’ of his compatriot. However, there is concern that he may not want to leave Real Sociedad, and he is also of interest to many other teams, so a deal won’t be easy.

Arsenal would also have liked to sign Douglas Luiz, but his asking price of £100 million is too high. According to Watts, if the Gunners fail to sign Zubimendi or Luiz, they could turn to Everton’s Amadou Onana.

“I do expect Arsenal to sign a midfielder this summer, but a lot will depend on what happens with the midfielders they currently have,” Watts explained.

“Ideally they would like Jorginho to stay, and then they have to sort out Thomas Partey’s future. Partey still has a year left on his deal and, just like last summer, Arsenal would not stand in his way of leaving should a decent offer arrive for the Ghana international.

“Should that happen, then they would have to replace him and Martin Zubimendi is a player they believe can play the Partey role.

“Mikel Arteta knows Zubimendi well and is a big admirer of the Spain international, but there is uncertainty around whether he actually wants to leave Real Sociedad. There is also expected to be strong rival interest in the 25-year-old, so it might not be an easy deal to get done.

“Douglas Luiz is a player Arsenal have tracked for a couple of years now, but the price Aston Villa would demand for the Brazilian would make it a difficult one for Arsenal.

“Everton’s Amadou Onana could be one to watch out for. There were a lot of links with him in January. Again, I was told at the time that there was nothing concrete in that speculation, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he is someone Arsenal look at when the season ends.”

Zubimendi would be a surperb signing for Arsenal if they could pull it off. He has a £50m release clause so he wouldn’t break the bank and he has the technical ability to fit perfectly into Arteta’s system.

However, if Arsenal cannot sign the Spaniard, then Onana could be an excellent alternative; he’s tried and tested in the Premier League and is also available for around £50 million.

With Arteta’s summer transfer priority assumed to be strengthening the attack, a move for Zubimendi or Onana would make sense as it would leave money in the budget to bring in a striker and winger.