Arsenal could be set for a busy start to the summer transfer window with another long-term target potentially arriving from La Liga after a deal for Martin Zubimendi to join from Real Sociedad is finalised.
Spanish midfielder Zubimendi completing a summer move to the Gunners has been the expectation since January, with a full agreement with the player now in place. His £51million release clause is likely to be activated but it is possible for the Gunners to pay using instalments.
With such a big deal nearly complete before the summer window has even opened, it suggests a big trading period is ahead for Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta. Football.london understands signing a striker, defender, wide forward and goalkeeper are the aims.
Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are the No.9 options believed to be under consideration with the latter currently as the name likely to come in.
Athletic Club star Nico Williams is Arteta's dream signing on the left but Bryan Mbeumo, Ademola Lookman and now Rodrygo are alternatives that have been linked.
Dean Huijsen of Bournemouth looks to be the club's priority in defence, but Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid are all interested. Jorrel Hato is perhaps the perfect alternative with the Ajax teenager capable of playing at centre-back and left-back.
In between the sticks, links to Joan Garcia from 12 months have not dissipated with the Espanyol shot-stopper expected to join. According to Spanish outlet AS (page 12), he is aiming to join Arsenal ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Despite the fact Barcelona, Manchester City and Madrid have shown an interest, Arsenal are in pole position to sign him. The report from AS adds that his £21million release clause will increase to £25million if he is still at Espanyol with 15 days of the summer transfer window remaining, but it is said that is unlikely.
That certainly suggests an early summer arrival is likely with the chances of that being boosted by the fact transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported last August that personal terms have already been agreed.
While some important details for Garcia's signing were not sorted before the January window closed, Neto was brought in on a season-long loan from Bournemouth instead. As he will be returning to the south coast soon, a new goalkeeper will be required and it certainly looks as though that will be Garcia.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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