Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi has publicly snubbed a switch to Barcelona this summer transfer window, seemingly claiming he would rather stay at Real Sociedad. The midfielder has been on the radar of some of Europe's elite clubs over the past year, with a £53million release clause in his contract.
The 24-year-old has been an ever-present in the Sociedad side that finished fourth in La Liga, securing a return to Champions League football for next season. It's the highest they've finished in ten years and only the second time they've broken into the top four since their promotion from the Segunda division.
With Zubimendi's rise to first-team stardom from the academy there has come plenty of interest, with Arsenal linked as they look to revamp their midfield. football.london understands that the top priority for the Gunners remains Declan Rice at this stage, despite other names in the frame.
With an exit for Granit Xhaka on the cards and the requirement of more bodies to fill the squad for a Champions League campaign next season, the West Ham captain may not be the only target. Moises Caicedo, Mason Mount and Ilkay Gundogan have all been rumoured as options for the north London outfit.
Zubimendi has been in that conversation at times too, especially given his age, ability and the release clause in his contract that would make negotiations far easier. However, the move will always be down to the player, who has recently spoken out against links with a move to Barcelona.
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When asked if he could potentially replace Sergio Busquets at the Camp Nou, he told El Diario Vasco: "Inheriting Asier Illarramendi's No.4 motivates me more than Sergio Busquets' No.5." That refers to earning the squad number of his midfield partner and teammate at Sociedad over being a successor to Busquets at Barca.
It underlines the pride many of the homegrown players at the club have for their team and the Basque country overall, with plenty of first-team stars breaking through from the academy. While it doesn't necessarily rule out a move for Zubimendi to Arsenal, his public ruling out of a move to Barcelona may not help their chances either.
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