Martin Zubimendi, a top target for Barcelona, wants to move to the Premier League in the summer amid interest from Arsenal.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona will face an uphill task to sign Martin Zubimendi. The Spaniard’s release clause, worth €60 million, was already an obstacle for the Blaugrana. And the Real Sociedad midfielder now wants to move to the Premier League amid interest from Arsenal.
Martin Zubimendi has established himself as one of the best midfielders in La Liga in the last couple of years. A graduate of the Real Sociedad academy, the 23-year-old is a mainstay in the middle of the park for La Real. And he has also broken into the Spanish national squad.
The Spaniard has turned out 120 times thus far for Real Sociedad, chipping in with four goals and five assists. And Zubimendi’s progress has not gone unnoticed, with several European bigwigs setting their sights on him. Barcelona and Arsenal are two prospective suitors for the youngster.
Barcelona will need to sign a long-term successor to Sergio Busquets in the summer transfer window. While the Barcelona captain might remain at Spotify Camp Nou for another year, his future is not set in stone. In addition, Busquets has seen his performance levels drop, thus compelling the Blaugrana to lay down a succession plan.
Zubimendi has thus emerged as a viable target for Barcelona. But the Catalan giants are in no position to afford to pay €60 million to secure the Spaniard’s services. And the never-ending financial woes have allowed other clubs, including Arsenal, to emerge as top contenders for his signature.
Arsenal approached Zubimendi over a late move in the January transfer window. But the 23-year-old snubbed the Gunners’ advances as he wants to see out the season with Real Sociedad. However, the Spanish international is not opposed to leaving La Real in the summer when Arsenal might try to sign him again. And the player is keen on moving to the Premier League as his next destination.
The latest update comes as a blow for Barcelona. And the Blaugrana might have to identify a cost-effective solution to bring in a successor to Busquets. Meanwhile, it will be interesting to see if Arsenal will win the race to sign Zubimendi in the summer.
