Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal confirmation imminent with next two priorities clear
Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal is almost complete as the Gunners look to confirm their first summer transfer for Mikel Arteta but still require more business in the coming weeks
Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi has arrived in London to kickstart Arsenal's summer spending. Zubimendi, 26, has agreed a £51m move to the Emirates and will complete the final steps before being announced as an Arsenal player.
Real Madrid made a late push for the Real Sociedad star but it was too late as Arsenal were always confident they had the player's word and agreement on a summer switch. Arsenal have been tracking him for several seasons as Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of the Spain star who helped his nation beat England last year to win the Euros.
Arsenal are still in talks with Thomas Partey over extending his deal but the pressure is on because his contract expires on June 30 and there has been little progress. But Partey has been keen to extend and negotiations have been at a delicate point in the past week or so. It remains to be seen whether they can keep him at the club.
Arsenal will hope that Zubimendi is the start of a big summer with sporting director Andrea Berta under big pressure to deliver a striker and a left winger. Berta has also been working on other positions as he looks to strengthen in his first window in power.
There may be scope to add more players if they can offload some members of their squad. Oleksandr Zinchenko is set to go this summer, while there has been interest in Jakub Kiwior.
But the priority is a striker with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyökeres at the top of their list. They have made little progress on agreeing a fee with both clubs holding out for a big price while Sesko knows he can command a big wage as he is one of the most sought after young strikers in Europe.
Sesko is reported to have agreed personal terms with the north London side and Leipzig are open to the player's sale after missing out on Champions League qualification. But the Bundesliga team are only prepared to part ways if they receive a fee north of £60m.
Arsenal have kept Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins on their radar after trying in January while they also want an elite left winger to bolster their attacking and creativity options.
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