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Arsenal have ‘virtually completed’ a deal to beat Manchester City and Liverpool to the signature of Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, but are not able to sign him now despite being keen to, according to the Daily Mail.

 

Liverpool chased Zubimendi for several weeks in the summer transfer window and thought they had a deal in the bag for the midfielder; they have continued to keep their interest alive, with no alternative to him signed.

 

Manchester City meanwhile have been mooted to see the Spaniard as a possible replacement for Rodri, who has been a key miss, and the Cityzens have cash available for a rebuild.

 

 

Arsenal though are poised to beat both their rivals to Zubimendi, with talks over a deal for him to join next summer at an advanced stage.

 

It is suggested that the deal is ‘virtually completed’ and Mikel Arteta will be getting his man in what is a big feather in Arsenal’s transfer cap.

 

 

Arsenal want Zubimendi to ‘join immediately’ as they continue to battle for the Premier League title, but Real Sociedad have blocked that idea.

 

They are insisting that the midfielder stays in Spain until the end of the season, at which time he would then move to Arsenal.

 

 

It is suggested that Arsenal will trigger the €60m release clause in Zubimendi’s contract and take him to the Emirates Stadium.

 

Whether the deal is so far down the line as to make any late efforts by Manchester City or Liverpool pointless is unclear and all eyes will be on how the duo react.