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Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are set to win the transfer race (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have agreed a new transfer fee to sign Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi ahead of Real Madrid, according to reports.
Mikel Arteta has made Zubimendi, 26, one of his top transfer targets this summer.
The Real Sociedad star came close to joining Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Liverpool last year but ended up rejecting the move.
Arsenal began working on a deal for Zubimendi earlier in the year and were believed to be leading the race for his signature.
But Real Madrid have continued to express interest in the Spaniard and recent reports claimed Xabi Alonso was planning a ‘final offensive’ to beat Arsenal to a deal.
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Alonso is a known admirer of Zubimendi and reportedly wants to bring him to the Bernabeu as one of his first Real Madrid signings.
The issue for Arsenal is that reports in Spain claim Zubimendi is considering snubbing the Gunners in favour of a move to Madrid.
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Martin Zubimendi is close to joining Arsenal despite interest from Real Madrid (Picture: Getty)
Zubimendi is said to be keen to remain in Spain and has always dreamed of playing for Los Blancos.
But The Athletic say Arsenal still expect to welcome Zubimendi to the Emirates Stadium this summer and regard the deal as being ‘done and signed’.
They say Zubimendi is expected to link up with Arteta’s squad for pre-season and the delay is due to Real Sociedad’s preference for the transfer to be ratified in July for accounting purposes.
Zubimendi has a release clause worth £51m but it is claimed Arsenal have agreed to pay £55m in order to pay for the deal in instalments.
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