Barcelona meet with €60m Arsenal target who can unleash Rice

Robin Bairner

Updated: 8 May 2024 04:43 CDT
4 min read

Barcelona are taking steps to disrupt Arsenal’s summer transfer window plans by moving for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

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Barca met with the agent of Zubimendi on Monday as they attempt to complete a move for the Spain international, who would come in to reinforce their pivot – an area of significant concern for Xavi.

The 25-year-old is also being tracked by Arsenal. He is regarded as an alternative to Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes in the centre of the field, with the Spaniard a low-cost option compared to the Brazil star, who would cost around €115 million.

Current ETV

Martín Zubimendi

DM (CRL)

Real Sociedad

Martín Zubimendi

DM (CRL)

Real Sociedad

ETV Range

€32M - €53.4M

By contrast, Zubimendi’s release clause is set at €60m – around half the cost of the Newcastle player.

The Gunners' belief is that if they sign a player like Zubimendi, they can allow Declan Rice to continue playing the more advanced role he has thrived in this season. Otherwise, the club's record signing may need to drop back and play a deeper role - something manager Mikel Arteta is not keen on.

But how close are Barcelona to completing a move?

© IMAGO - Martin Zubimendi, Real Sociedad

Barca's Zubimendi hopes in the balance

Sport indicates that a meeting took place in Catalunya on Monday between Deco, Barca’s sporting director, and Zubimendi’s agent Inaki Ibanez.

But just because the parties have met does not mean a move is close. In fact, the news is rather positive for Arsenal, with the door still firmly open for a move.

Indeed, Real Sociedad are set to demand Zubimendi’s release clause from any club that wants to sign him. La Real do not want to sell.

Although the midfielder has been high on the shortlist of Barcelona coach Xavi for the last two summers and is a player they want to replace Sergio Busquets, he may be impossible to sign.

The Blaugrana’s financial position means that they will need to sell significantly before signing Zubimendi to comply with Spain’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) legislation.

As Sport points out: “Undertaking an investment of more than €50m is inaccessible for the club.”

It is stressed, however, that this does not mean that Barcelona cannot work towards an agreement, but it certainly complicates any possibility of a transfer and leaves Arsenal in control of the situation.