Arsenal get major Zubimendi boost as Barcelona turn to alternative

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 27 Jan 2023 08:57 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal’s prospects of landing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi have been given a major help in the long term with the news that Barcelona’s position on the once-capped Spain player is weakening.

The Gunners had wanted to sign Zubimendi in January and even tabled a bid that triggered the 23-year-old release clause of €60 million. The player, however, knocked back the chance of moving to the Emirates in the middle of the season.

Zubimendi, however, is firmly expected to be on the move in the summer – and it looks increasingly likely that he will be going to the Emirates.

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One of the reasons that Arsenal are in such a strong position over this case is that Barcelona are simply not in a position to offer the €60m that would allow them to speak to the player. It would take a miraculous change in their financial fortunes for that to change in the next six months.

Furthermore, Zubimendi is known to harbour ambition to play in the Premier League.

Although Arsenal have backed off the player for now, they are expected to return in the summer.

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Barcelona’s Zubimendi alternative

It was expected that Barcelona would sign Zubimendi as their long-term replacement to Sergio Busquets, but it is suggested by Sport that the Catalans will instead persist with the 35-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Barca tried to offer him a new two-year deal last summer but Busquets wanted to put the offer on hold to see his season developed. It is reported now that his performances have convinced Xavi that he can continue for another year.

Busquets, meanwhile, is likely to have offers on the table from MLS clubs, where Inter Miami are his preferred destination, and Saudi Arabia, where Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr have been interested in the past.

It is stated that Busquets’ decision whether to stay at Barcelona or move on will not be driven by economic factors.