Arsenal are working on a deal to sign Martin Zubimendi as the Gunners look to beat competition from Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona to the Real Sociedad midfielder.
Mikel Arteta is a big admirer of the Spain international, who excelled in the Champions League this season after helping Sociedad to a top-four finish in La Liga last season.
Given the competition from rivals clubs, Arsenal are keen to seek a swift decision from Zubimendi on his future before potentially moving on to alternative targets.
The north Londoners are prepared to meet the €60m (£51.2m) release clause in Zubimendi’s contract with the San Sebastián outfit and Football Transfers are reporting that Arsenal are constructing a financial package that would double the midfielder’s wages to around £115,000 per week.
Arsenal have spent heavily in recent transfer windows and are currently operating on tight restrictions, though there are plans for significant sales to raise funds for the signing of a central midfielder and centre-forward.
Aaron Ramsdale is expected to move on after losing his place as first-choice goalkeeper to David Raya this season, while academy graduates Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah – each of whom would count as complete profit on the balance sheet – could be sold after struggling for minutes.
