Arsenal Overtake Liverpool In Hunt For Martin Zubimendi

JAKARTA - Arsenal have outperformed Liverpool in the hunt to recruit Martin Zubimendi after entering further talks with Real Sociedad.

The north London club is working on a deal that will most likely see the 25-year-old join the Gunners by the end of the season.

Arsenal are working on Zubimendi to join this month, but he is expected to remain in Spain until the summer.

The deal has not been finalized, but the Gunners are clearly at the forefront of recruiting the midfielder, who refused to move to Liverpool a year earlier.

Manchester City is also monitoring the Spanish National Team player after Rodri is likely absent all season due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, Real Madrid is also said to be interested.

Zubimendi has a release clause of 60 million euros which is expected to be activated by Arsenal.

In addition, Mikel Arteta has played a key role in talks with Zubimendi.

If this transfer does materialize, Zubimendi will join his former teammate at Sociedad, Mikel Merino, at the Emirates Stadium.

Successful efforts will cast further doubts over the future of Jorginho and Thomas Partey, whose contracts both have expired this summer.

No decision has yet been made regarding the two players. Jorginho's representative held talks with Palmeiras.

However, the Brazilian club is not interested in pursuing an agreement with the Italian.

Meanwhile, Partey has previously attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, but is likely to face the need to receive a significant pay cut of around 250,000 per week.