Barcelona remain divided over a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi months after Arsenal failed with a £53million transfer bid.
Zubimendi, 24, has a £53million (€60m) release clause in his contract at the Basque club and has no shortage of admirers both in La Liga and the Premier League. A product of Real Sociedad’s youth system, he has made 142 first-team appearances for the club.
Capped once for the Spanish national team, the deep-lying midfielder has developed into one of the highest performers in the Spanish top flight and has been suggested as a long-term replacement for the outgoing Sergio Busquets at Barca.
Zubimendi was linked with a switch to the Gunners again this summer with Spanish outlet AS reporting that he was ‘very close’ to a move to North London. However, that report appears to have been hugely premature – with Arsenal instead looking towards a move for West Ham captain Declan Rice in a similar position.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side may revisit a switch for the midfielder in the future as he looks set to stay at the San Sebastian outfit beyond this summer. Real Sociedad qualified for this season’s Champions League and with Zubimendi’s current deal running through to 2025, he may be available for a switch next summer.
A report in Sport claims that the Barca hierarchy is split over whether to make a move for the player, despite boss Xavi considering him a primary target. However, incoming sporting director Deco – a former playmaker at Camp Nou – is said to be pursuing other, more affordable targets.
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Xavi made his feelings on signing the midfielder clear when telling reporters back in January: "He (Zubimendi) is a more physical and faster player than Busquets, who is technically better. But not only Zubimendi, all of Real Sociedad’s midfield players. We are playing a great team and Zubimendi is a great footballer."
The Barca boss continued in an admittance that that position was a priority for Barca: "We work in the same way in grassroots football. But La Real works very well with the academy. We lack a defensive pivot who is the future replacement for Busquets."
As for Arsenal, they continue to prioritise a move for Rice in the position with midfielders Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey both likely to leave the Emirates this summer.
