Arsenal reach Zubimendi transfer realisation as new striker search takes twist

Arsenal are lining up a summer move for the Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi this summer, but their quest for a new No.9 looks like being a harder deal to pull off

Arsenal believe they will have a clear run at Martin Zubimendi - but are facing more competition on their striker targets.

Real Madrid have also been heavily linked with Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi with the Spain star having a £51m buy-out clause in his contract. Despite the arrival of Arsenal ’s new sporting director Andrea Berta, the Gunners had already put in an exhaustive amount of work on getting a deal done for Zubimendi who is hugely admired by Mikel Arteta.

The foundations have been laid for the midfielder and Real Madrid have yet to push ahead with concrete interest to see if they could hijack any potential deal. But Arsenal’s plans for a new forward are less well advanced with Berta championing Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Arsenal boss Arteta is a long-standing admirer of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak while they have scouted and courted RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko for well over a year.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim knows Gyokeres from his time at Lisbon and there will be no shortage of interest in him.

Chelsea are showing interest in Ipswich’s Liam Delap but also hold an interest in Sesko who appeals because he is young and raw but has all the assets - pace and physicality - which put him on Arsenal’s radar in the first place.

That identification has served Arsenal well to date with the likes of Jurrien Timber a huge success before Edu quit the club earlier this season.

Sesko looked to be the outstanding choice but now who they go for as the No1 will be an interesting indicator on the direction of travel on transfers.

Arsenal also want a left winger with Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams and Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia as a new No2 in what could be a busy summer.

But it would be inconceivable for them to do all of that business without outgoings and there has been interest in both Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martnelli.

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