Bukayo Saka Arsenal Emirates Stadium
Arsenal Emirates Stadium

Arsenal and FC Barcelona are interested in signing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi but the 24-year-old does not want a transfer at the moment.

Martín Zubimendi has come up through the ranks at Sociedad and the defensive midfielder has been dubbed as the ‘next Sergio Busquets’. He made his senior debut for the Spanish club in 2019 and to date, he’s featured in 132 games across all competitions.

His performances this season have drawn the attention of several clubs and according to the rumours, Arsenal and Barcelona are two of the frontrunners in signing him.

Arsenal had tried to sign the midfielder in January but Zubimendi rejected that approach and he’s made it clear that he is expecting a quiet summer transfer window.

“I have heard very little of that, because I haven’t wanted to listen. I haven’t wanted to listen to anything from outside (my club),” Zubimendi told reporters.

“It’s normal for names to be mentioned with Busquets’ possible departure (from Barcelona). It is nice for my name to be mentioned now and then, but I am concentrating on my own questions.

“It wouldn’t be logical to put Real Sociedad to one side with the season that we are enjoying. I am very happy here.”

Martin Zubimendi signed a contract extension last year and it has a £52.8 million release clause in it. This price makes him a very tempting signing and despite him dousing all the rumours, we are certain that both Arsenal and Barca will move for him in the summer.

Xavi is looking for a long-term replacement for Busquets while Mikel Arteta wants an upgrade to Granit Xhaka so Martin Zubimendi won’t be able to rest easy. The Gunners had to settle for Jorginho after missing out on Zubimendi but the Italian has not been up to mark so they still need a top-quality defensive midfielder.

The Spanish international has made his stance very clear but eventually, it all depends on what Real Sociedad want to do because they obviously will be tempted to cash in on him in the summer.