According to a recent report by Fichajes, Real Sociedad’s midfielder Martin Zubimendi has become a hot prospect for some of Europe’s biggest clubs, with Real Madrid and Arsenal leading the race to sign him.
Both clubs are looking to strengthen their teams for the next season, sparking a fierce competition between La Liga and the Premier League.
Zubimendi has proven himself vital for Real Sociedad with his outstanding vision, tactical intelligence, and accurate passing. These skills have caught the eye of both Real Madrid and Arsenal, who see him as a perfect fit for their future strategies.
Real Madrid are keeping track
Within Real Madrid, Zubimendi is seen as a future cornerstone of their midfield.
As Luka Modric winds down his illustrious career and with Toni Kroos now retired, the club views the young player as essential to keep their stronghold in both Spanish and European football.
On the other hand, Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta is eager to attract Zubimendi to London. Arteta has proven his knack for convincing transfers in the past, and his pursuit of Zubimendi highlights his drive to fortify Arsenal’s midfield.
Future uncertain
The financial clout of Arsenal in the Premier League poses a major hurdle for Real Sociedad, even though Zubimendi remains contracted to the Basque team.
Currently, Zubimendi’s future is up in the air. Real Madrid is banking on the prestige of playing for one of Spain’s most decorated clubs to sway him.
Meanwhile, Arsenal is aggressively pursuing him, ready to offer lucrative deals.
Zubimendi’s choice will be a pivotal moment in the upcoming transfer period, as both clubs watch closely for his next step.
Arteta have new star to unleash after Martinelli injury that could save millions
Gabriel Martinelli’s recent hamstring injury has dealt Arsenal a significant blow in their attacking lineup. The 23-year-old Brazilian is expected to be out for over a month following an injury sustained in a 2-0 loss to Newcastle.
This injury means he’ll miss crucial Premier League matches against Leicester, West Ham, and Nottingham Forest. His status for the upcoming games against Manchester United and Chelsea is also in doubt, as well as potentially both legs of the Champions League round of 16, depending on the schedule.
The absence of Martinelli exacerbates Arsenal’s forward line crisis, particularly with Gabriel Jesus sidelined for the season due to an ACL injury and Bukayo Saka out until at least March with a hamstring tear. Mikel Arteta expressed disappointment over not securing new signings in January, pointing to a lack of firepower upfront.
Currently, Kai Havertz, who scored in a recent 5-1 victory over Manchester City, has been inconsistent, leaving Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard, and youngster Ethan Nwaneri as the primary fit attacking options. This situation could jeopardize Arsenal’s title aspirations.
However, Arteta might look to the club’s academy for solutions. Ethan Nwaneri, at 17, has had a notable season with seven goals in 23 appearances. Other promising talents include Myles Lewis-Skelly, Andre Harriman-Annous, Khayon Edwards, Salah-Eddine Oulad M’Hand, Max Dowman, and Osman Kamara. Harriman-Annous, with 12 goals in 22 games, stands out as a versatile forward who could potentially make an impact if called upon.
While there’s no immediate indication of these youngsters being thrust into the first team, their performances suggest they could be part of Arteta’s plans to navigate this challenging period in Arsenal’s season.
