Martin Zubimendi has reportedly put a potential transfer to Arsenal on hold while waiting for Real Madrid.
football.london understands a deal for the Spain international has already been verbally agreed upon, with only a medical left to complete. The move was at an advanced stage as early as January, with the north London club now due to pay a €60million (£51million) release clause in the player's contract with Real Sociedad.
Madrid, though, is said not to have given up on potentially signing the midfielder this summer. Their new head coach, Xabi Alonso, reputedly wants to be reunited with Zubimendi next season.
Diario AS claims the club have concluded none of the alternatives, such as Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller, are any better and will thus make a final push for the 26-year-old. Those in the Spanish capital reputedly consider Zubimendi the best option, who is available this summer, to replace Toni Kroos, a year after the midfielder retired.
He is said to find the prospect of playing for Madrid attractive and also appears to favour staying in Spain. Madrid purportedly plans to avoid matching the midfielder's release clause by offering the Basque club players on loan free of charge to lower the fee they pay. That is because they are said to consider the release clause too high a price for them.
Affording the wages they would give Zubimendi is also purportedly an issue. AS claims Arsenal are offering the player an annual salary of around £8million (€10million), which would work out at roughly £160,000 per week. Madrid, though, are allegedly only willing to propose €6-7million for next season, albeit with the potential for that to increase over the length of his contract.
It is said in no uncertain terms that any offer will not match Arsenal's financially. Zubimendi, therefore, would have to forego future earnings if he wants a move to Madrid.