Martin Zubimendi’s long-rumoured move to Arsenal appears to be edging closer, with BBC Sport reporting that “all the relevant documents” have been signed and a medical is being arranged.
The Gunners are set to trigger the Spain international’s £51 million release clause and have already agreed a payment structure with Real Sociedad.
Currently enjoying a short break before joining up with Spain for their Nations League semi-final against France in Stuttgart on 5 June, Zubimendi could feature in the final should La Roja progress past Les Bleus. They would face either Germany or Portugal.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will make a formal announcement before then, with a short transfer window opening between 1-10 June to allow for registrations ahead of the Club World Cup.
Zubimendi is expected to be the first of several summer arrivals, with Mikel Arteta also rumoured to be targeting a striker, winger and backup goalkeeper. We don’t need to list the names; you know them by now.
Outgoings are also anticipated. Jorginho confirmed yesterday that he’ll be leaving N5, with the Italy international set to join Brazilian side Flamengo as a free agent.
Elsewhere, Kieran Tierney has agreed a permanent return to Celtic following his season-long loan. Loanees Neto and Raheem Sterling are returning to their parent clubs.
There’s uncertainty around the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko, while several players returning from loan – Karl Hein, Nuno Tavares, Fabio Vieira, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Reiss Nelson – are also expected to be on the move.
Lazio are understood to be activating their option to buy Tavares, with reports suggesting they may sell him on immediately for a profit. Arsenal would benefit from a 25% sell-on clause.
Sevilla will not be exercising their option to sign Lokonga, who has spoken candidly about his desire to find a more permanent home after a nomadic two and a half years that has included loans at Crystal Palace and Fulham.
“The situation is really, really open,” the Belgium international told the Evening Standard.
“To talk about my future… I can’t say anything, because I really don’t know where I will end up.
“I can’t say it’s tough, because I still have one year on my contract [at Arsenal], but it is true that as a player you want to know where you will end up or where you will stay.
“For me, I really don’t know what is going to happen – but what I know for sure is I need stability. I need a club where I can stay for two or three years, to play and develop again.”
Back at London Colney, we’re expecting the club to swiftly tie up new contracts for several first-team players, including Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Recent reports claim the club wants to retain Thomas Partey and Leandro Trossard and that negotiations with William Saliba have begun.