Second Arsenal transfer target emerges as Gunners close in on £51m deal
Premier League runners-up Arsenal have a busy summer ahead of them as Mikel Arteta looks to make the additions needed to compete for the title again next season
Arsenal's busy summer is already getting into gear as Mikel Arteta seeks improvement after an injury-impacted season. The Gunners were able to secure another second-place finish in the Premier League, but their points tally dropped off significantly compared to the previous two campaigns.
There are clear areas of focus as we approach the opening of the transfer window. One of these is up front, where injuries to Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus left Arteta short of options at a key point in the season.
A new deep-lying midfielder is also a priority, whether or not Thomas Partey sticks around. Martin Zubimendi looks like being that man, and we'll have the latest on the Spain international in today's round-up.
Arteta is set to lose a couple of fringe players, too. Kieran Tierney is on his way back to Celtic and Jorginho is Flamengo-bound, while Neto and Raheem Sterling will return to their parent clubs after a season on loan in North London.
We've also got the latest on some of the Gunners' other transfer targets, with potential to bolster the squad in all areas. Here are Mirror Football 's latest lines from around the Emirates Stadium.
Zubimendi on his way, Sane next?
Arsenal have met Martin Zubimendi's release clause, with a £51million move now looking to be a matter of time. They won't stop there, though, with Leroy Sane remaining a target.
Sane worked with Mikel Arteta at Manchester City and is believed to remain on good terms with the Spaniard. He is out of contract at Bayern Munich this summer, though the German champions haven't fully given up on convincing him to stick around.
According to The Times, Sane's agent was due to meet with Bayern on Wednesday. The winger's new offer is thought to be on a lower base wage than his current deal but with bonuses included.
Man Utd keen on Arsenal-linked Garcia
Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia has long been linked with Arsenal, but the Gunners appear reluctant to meet his £21million release clause. That may leave the door open for fellow suitors Barcelona, but they aren't the only ones in the mix.
According to Caught Offside, Manchester United are readying a late bid to bring in Garcia as they look to offload at least one keeper this summer. Barcelona remain in the hunt, though, as do Newcastle United, while the Spaniard could yet end up staying put.
"I'm very calm, and whatever decision needs to be made, I'll definitely think it over a lot with my people and choose what will be best for me. And I'm sure it will be like that," Garcia recently said when asked about leaving Espanyol for their local rivals.
Arsenal told what they're getting with Zubimendi
A former team-mate of Martin Zubimendi has assured rsenal they are getting a great person as well as a great footballer. The midfielder looks to finally get his move to the Premier League after sunning Liverpool interest to stay with Real Sociedad last summer.
"He was always a very complete player," Benoit Cachenaut, who came through the ranks with Zubimendi at La Real, told Sky Sports. "Technical, quick, intelligent, potent.
"You could already see he had everything to get to the highest level. But as well as being very good on the pitch, he was a very humble guy, always smiling, always very friendly."
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