The Gunners have been linked with a summer swoop for the midfielder (Picture: Getty)
Martin Zubimendi has played down talk of a summer transfer and insists he is happy at Real Sociedad despite growing links with both Arsenal and Barcelona.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed another strong campaign in San Sebastian and is in contention to make Spain’s squad for the Euros, while he has a host of European giants reportedly queuing up to sign him.
Part of Zubimendi’s appeal is the fact he has a €60million (£52.6m) release clause in his contract which can be triggered in the summer window.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is a long-time admirer and the Gunners were first linked with a move in January 2023, though they opted to break their club transfer record to sign Declan Rice a few months later.
They remain interested now, though, with both Jorginho and Thomas Partey potentially leaving the Emirates at the end of the season to open up a space in the midfield.
Bayern Munich have also been heavily linked with Zubimendi, though whether that interest remains will be dependent on who replaces Thomas Tuchel – with the departing German having been adamant about the need for a new No.6.
More recently, Barcelona have also emerged as a contender for Zubimendi’s signature and Xavi is believed to have identified the midfielder as a key target after U-turning on his decision to leave Camp Nou.
Zubimendi will be a man in demand this summer (Picture: Getty)
But the player himself says he is paying little attention to the increasing noise surrounding his future at Real Sociedad and insists he is quite content at his current club.
Asked about the speculation, Zubimendi told Spanish newspaper Marca: ‘They are just rumours, I am happy at Real Sociedad, it is like my home.
‘I cannot say that I will play my entire career at Real Sociedad, perhaps the club won’t want me to continue in the future.
‘But I do not concern myself with these rumours.’
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Instead, Zubimendi is only focused on securing European football next season with Sociedad, continuing: ‘Our goal is to achieve a qualifying spot for Europe next season.
‘It would be the first time in Real Sociedad’s history that we have achieved this for five consecutive seasons. It would be something great for us.’
Zubimendi is the metronome in Real Sociedad’s midfield and has averaged 49 passes per game in La Liga, also pitching in with four goals; he is also tenacious and combative off the ball, winning 47 tackles and racking up 37 interceptions – the most in the team.
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