Arsenal's final five days of the January transfer window has potential to mould the Gunners' Premier League title hopes come the end of the season. Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior have both arrived from Brighton and Spezia respectively but the emphasis on a new midfielder remains.
Mikel Arteta admitted that ideally the club would add a new face to his options in midfield for the second half of the season after Mohamed Elneny's absence in recent weeks. It is understood that a central midfielder has been on Arsenal's radar for some time, even prior to the Egyptians injury concerns.
Ahead of his side's FA Cup clash at Manchester City tomorrow, Arteta was asked by football.london if the injury to the 30-year-old will result in a reinforcement in midfield. "Well, we need some more cover in midfield ideally if we can," the Gunners boss said.
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"In this market, it's pretty complicated to do that. The most important thing is that we get the performances and the time on the pitch that we need with the players we have available today that are already really good."
Arsenal have been linked with Everton's Amadou Onana and Brighton's Moises Caicedo in recent days. However, a winter move to north London seems unlikely meaning alternative targets are expected to be pursued.
Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi has been identified as a possible incoming following eye-catching displays in La Liga. The midfielder, who has also attracted interest from Barcelona, reportedly favours a move to the Premier League but it was said a summer move would be more likely.
Now, Real Sociedad have handed Arsenal a vital transfer ultimatum as we approach the final days of the January transfer window. The Spanish side are keen on keeping the 23-year-old at the club until the summer, and have told the Gunners they will have to activate his €60million (£52.7million) release clause if they wish to sign him, according to The Times.
Zubimendi only signed a new deal at the Anoeta Stadium three months ago and the club certainly seemed prepared for interest elsewhere. Unlike England, players in Spain have a release clause inserted into their contract to allow them to be bought out of their contracts for an agreed fee - as seen with Thomas Partey's 2019 move from Atletico Madrid.
Successfully luring Zubimendi to the Premier League is expected to be a difficult test for Edu Gasper and Arteta due to the player's affiliation to the Spanish side. The midfielder progressed through the club's academy after being born in San Sebastian, the city of Sociedad's home ground.
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