Arsenal are reportedly interested in the signing of Real Sociedad's Marti Zubimendi, although a move to the Emirates Stadium in January is unlikely for the Spaniard.
The 24-year-old has been a regular figure for Sociedad in La Liga this term, starting 18 games, scoring three goals and providing one assist from a midfield role.
Zubimendi was also crucial in helping his side progress into the last 16 of the Champions League, with the Spaniards winning Group D to set up a tie with Paris Saint-Germain which commences in February.
The Sociedad academy graduate also possesses relative international pedigree, having earned four caps for Spain since making his first senior squad in June 2021.
According to football.london, Arsenal are still keen on securing the services of Zubimendi in the future, however a switch in the New Year is unlikely.
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The report claims that the midfielder is currently content with his situation at Reale Arena, where he is set to assist his team in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
It is understood that Zubimendi has a £53m release clause in his terms at Sociedad, with the Gunners unlikely to activate such a stipulation in the New Year.
As well as interest from North London, it is also believed that La Liga champions Barcelona are in the hunt for the 24-year-old's services, with Xavi looking to bolster his engine-room ranks.
Zubimendi is supposedly not the only midfield option that Mikel Arteta admires ahead of the January window, with Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz remaining of interest.
The title-chasing Gunners had a £25m bid rejected by Unai Emery's side for the Brazilian last summer, and it is said that the Villans would be demanding far in excess of that figure as they look to secure a top-four finish.
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Despite the signing of Declan Rice from West Ham United for £105m ahead of the 2023-24 term, Arsenal still reportedly view midfield as an area of the pitch that requires reinforcements.
Jorginho, Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey represent other first-team options for Areta in the defensive-midfield department, however all three are now over the age of 30.
Egyptian Elneny and Italian Jorginho will both see their time at the Emirates end should they not agree new terms with Arsenal before the summer, although the former has stated his desire to stay at the club.
After netting his fourth goal of the Premier League season in the 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, Kai Havertz is set to keep his spot alongside Martin Odegaard and former Hammer Rice as the Gunners face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday evening.
Carter White
