Alexander Fox | PlaNet Fox from Pixabay"/>Premier League side Arsenal have been scouting Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and as per the latest reports, Bayern Munich are also interested in the midfielder.
Martin Zubimendi is a product of Sociedad’s youth academy and since making his senior debut for the club in 2019, the central midfielder has played in 174 games across all competitions. This season, he’s netted four and assisted one in 19 league starts and there’s a big possibility he is going to ply his trade in a new league next campaign.
He’s played 1771 minutes of league football this campaign and he has an xG of 2.09 and an xA of 1.
Arsenal have been tracking the 24-year-old for months now and for the longest time, they thought this one was going to be a straightforward move for them.
However, Bayern Munich has joined this transfer race with Joshua Kimmich being linked with an exit.
Kimmich’s long-standing association could come to an end in the summer with several clubs interested in signing him and if the midfielder leaves then Bayern wish to bring Martin Zubimendi as his long-term replacement.
Arsenal are also set to lose players like Thomas Partey and Jorginho by the end of this season but if Bayern Munich are serious about signing the Sociedad man then the Premier League side have their work cut out.
The Spanish international has a €60 million release clause in his contract and that’s something both Arsenal as well as Bayern Munich can afford. Arsenal will bring in funds through the sale of Partey while Bayern are also expected to bag around €50-60 million from Kimmich’s exit in the summer.
The Bavarians are expected to reignite their interest in Fulham’s Palhinha so Martin Zubimendi isn’t the only name on their list but if they do make a formal move for the Real Sociedad man then Arsenal will most likely avoid an unnecessary battle and go on to focus on their other targets.
