Martin Zubimendi announcement plan emerges as Arsenal face transfer delay

Arsenal are set to confirm Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi as their first summer signing in a major coup for Mikel Arteta

Martin Zubimendi's transfer to Arsenal is not expected to be made official until July - even though the player has already travelled to London with his agent to put the finishing touches on his switch from Real Sociedad.

The Spain international was in the capital on Friday to meet with Gunners officials as Mikel Arteta's side hone in on their first big statement deal of the summer window.

However, Sociedad want the move to be ratified next month for their financial records as the current football financial year is due to end on June 30. Arsenal are also expected to pay slightly over Zubimendi's £51million release clause and the final fee could yet reach £55m all in.

The extra £4m, though sources remain tight-lipped on the final figures at this stage, would entitle them to more favourable payment terms, spread across a longer period of time and significantly, would give them further flexibility in the market amid the tightening of PSR regulations.

Real Madrid had been tipped to hijack Arsenal's swoop for the 26-year-old following Xabi Alonso's arrival at the Bernabeu but Zubimendi's impending transfer was already agreed in principle several months ago and the Gunners have long been operating with the belief that he would be joining this summer.

Meanwhile, Thomas Partey's contract situation currently looks bleak as discussions have not progressed between the parties and barring any late U-turn, the Ghanaian is set to become a free agent at the end of the month.

The 32-year-old has been offered to a number of top European clubs including Galatasaray and Fenerbahce in the past week but at this stage, it is still not clear where he could yet end up as his priority has always been to stay at Arsenal.

If Partey does indeed depart, Arsenal will actively seek to recruit another midfielder after also losing Jorginho to Flamengo, although Zubimendi is expected to fill the void of the Ghana international at the base of Arteta's engine room.

Arsenal are poised to ramp up their pursuit of new arrivals in the coming weeks with a striker still considered both Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta's top priority.

Interest in RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres remains ongoing and at this moment in time, Arsenal are seemingly still yet to commit to going all-out for either player as both deals remain there to be struck.

Both Sesko and Gyokeres are thought to be keen on moves to the Emirates.