Arsenal have placed Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi on the club’s list of transfer targets for the January transfer window.
Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen in central midfield in the winter window and the Gunners are currently assessing potential options ahead of the new year.
The north Londoners have a long-standing interest in Sociedad star Zubimendi, having reportedly failed with a bid to sign the Spanish international earlier this year.
Zubimendi – who has won two caps for the national team – formed part of the Sociedad side who secured Champions League qualification in La Liga last season and has a release clause of €60m (£53m) in his contract in San Sebastián.
Calciomercato are reporting that Tchouameni is an alternative to the 24-year-old, despite a regular role in the Real Madrid side this season.
The Frenchman had a mixed first season with Los Blancos after signing from Monaco in a deal worth up to €100m last summer, but has started 10 of the club’s 11 league fixtures this season, despite the summer arrival of Jude Bellingham.
Arsenal’s interest in signing a midfielder comes amid doubts over the futures of Jorginho, who is out of contract at the end of the season, and Thomas Partey. The latter has been linked with a move to Juventus with Paul Pogba facing a potentially lengthy suspension for a doping violation.
