Arsenal want to sign at least one central midfielder this summer, with Martin Zubimendi the prime target.
The Real Sociedad star has already verbally agreed a move to Emirates Stadium, football.london understands, with only a medical left to complete. It's believed the Gunners have agreed to pay the €60million (£51million) release clause in the player's contract, with a move likely to be announced in July for accounting reasons.
Reports in Spain have suggested that Real Madrid may look to hijack the move, though, with Diario AS claiming Zubimendi would prefer to stay in Spain, with Madrid an attractive option. The player is currently on international duty with Spain and is expected to go on holiday in the coming days to rest up ahead of the 2025/26 season.
In the background Arsenal are also in negotiations with Thomas Partey about potentially extending the midfielder's contract. The Ghana international's current deals expires this summer although Mikel Arteta is said to want the 31-year-old to stay at least one more year.
With Jorginho already having left the club, if Partey does decide to depart then Arsenal really would need to sign probably at least two midfielders, with perhaps one other player coming in as well as Zubimendi, if the 26-year-old ignores the temptation of Madrid.
One player who sporting director Andrea Berta could turn to is Youri Tielemans. The Belgium international was heavily tracked by the Gunners when he was at Leicester City but the 28-year-old ended up moving to Aston Villa instead.
Tielemans has now spent two years at Villa Park and was instrumental for Unai Emery's side throughout the 2024/25 season, helping Villa reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League. But Villa will be playing Europa League football next term after finishing sixth in the Premier League and Tielemans has not ruled out leaving in the summer.
“I feel good at Villa. I feel a lot of confidence from the club and the coach,” Belgium midfielder Tielemans said at a press conference ahead of the Red Devils’ World Cup qualifier against Wales in Brussels. “I was constantly at a very high level and was very involved in Villa’s game. I have made progress in all areas.
“Does that make me think about a transfer? Nothing is ruled out, but I am not really thinking about that. I am doing well at Villa. I feel a lot of confidence from the club and the coach.”
The 28-year-old added: “It has been a long and tough season, but I still feel good and am ready to play. In Skopje (against North Macedonia) I did not really feel the fatigue, because I was on the bench for a large part of the match.”
While not exactly itching for a move, Arsenal may look to revisit a move for Tielemans given their previous interest. According to transfermarkt, the midfielder is valued at €38million (£32million).
Everyone associated with the Gunners will be hoping Berta and Arteta can get a deal over the line for Zubimendi in the coming weeks, as well as agree a contract extension with Partey. If one or both of those do not happen, however, then Tielemans may well be a decent alternative.