Arsenal have agreed to a deal to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad this summer.
Fabrizio Romano revealed that Gunners have reached a verbal agreement with the player to sign a long-term deal, and are said to have informed Sociedad of their intention to activate his €60m release clause.
The formal steps of the move are now set to be followed by the Gunners.
This puts Mikel Arteta and his side on their way to completing their first deal of the summer and having targeted Zubimendi since January, it looks as if they are set to bring a priority target to north London.
Arsenal’s genuine interest in Zubimendi was first revealed in the winter transfer window and there was heavy speculation the deal was practically complete.
However, the midfielder then became subject of interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
It looks as if the Real Sociedad man had no interest in heading to his nation’s capital with him now having reached a verbal agreement with the Gunners.
The move will come at a good time for Arsenal as they find themselves in need of at least one new midfielder ahead of next season.
Jorginho is set to depart for Flamengo upon the expiry of his contract and talks over a new deal for Thomas Partey are ongoing.
Zubimendi is now set to head to the Premier League, having rejected a transfer to Liverpool last summer.
He opted against a move to Merseyside in favour of remaining with his boyhood club, but now looks ready to leave as he edges towards a deal to join the Gunners less than 12 months later.
Arteta’s side are cautious, given the midfielder has previously changed his mind, but their worries should be eased with an agreement now in place.
Edu and Jason Ayto are said to have been the driving forces behind the move, but he will become the first signing under new sporting director Andrea Berta.
If Arsenal get a deal over the line, signing a player of Zubimendi’s calibre will come as a big boost to the club.
The midfielder has been an important part of Real Sociedad’s setup as well as a key player for Spain.
He would be following in the footsteps of Mikel Merino who made the move from the Basque Country to north London last summer.