Martin Zubimendi was reportedly due to undergo a medical with Arsenal last week (Getty)
Martin Zubimendi has raised doubt over his transfer to Arsenal this summer and has refused to rule out the possibility of staying at Real Sociedad.
The 26-year-old came close to joining Liverpool last year before he opted to remain with his boyhood club.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been long-term admirers of the Spain international and it’s understood that the club’s hierarchy have been confident of signing the midfielder, who has a €60 million (£50.5m) release clause.
Last week, it was reported that Zubimendi was due to undergo a medical with Arsenal before finalising his move to Mikel Arteta’s side.
But in an interview with Radio Nacional de Espana on Tuesday, Zubimendi said his future is undecided when asked if there is a chance he could stay another season at Real Sociedad.
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‘Of course there are options, but it’s true that it seems like it’s going to be a different, long summer, and I don’t know how it will end,’ Zubimendi said.
Atletico de Madrid v Real Sociedad - La Liga EA Sports
Martin Zubimendi has refused to rule out the prospect of staying with Real Sociedad (Getty)
‘I don’t think thinking about it right now is my priority. I’m here with the national team, which I think is already quite demanding, and if I have to say something, then I will.’
After reports emerged claiming that Zubimendi was undergoing a medical with Arsenal, the midfielder uploaded a picture from a beach in San Sebastian on his Instagram account.
‘It’s an example of what surrounds football,’ Zubimendi said.
‘Many times I wake up in the morning and read things that I didn’t know I had done. That was a clear example.
‘It’s true that I don’t take it very seriously, but anyway, I uploaded those photos to emphasise a little that it wasn’t exactly the reality that was happening.’
Zubimendi was also asked about potentially reuniting with Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid having already played under him with Real Sociedad B.
‘I have always said that he was my idol and that for me it was lucky that he was able to coach me in the reserve team in a very important year,’ the midfielder said.
‘The following year I was already in the first team and, well, I don’t like to talk about those hypotheses, I prefer to talk about the present, because I also think that it would be disrespectful to answer from the national team training camp and before facing such an important competition.’
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