Arsenal face a huge few months ahead as the club prepare themselves for the climax of a huge Premier League season that has seen them battle for the title toe-to-toe with Manchester City. The Gunners currently lead the race by eight points with an extra game played heading into the final international break of the campaign.
While full focus for that period will be on stretching every sinew to get a hand on the trophy before their rivals, the north London club will also have to plan for beyond the summer. The next transfer window could be key in securing Arsenal's place at the top of the pyramid once again, with the need for some added quality to the side.
The midfielder is an area of particular interest to the Gunners as football.london understands both Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are on the shortlist for the side. Alongside those two Premier League options is also one player that is thriving in the Spanish La Liga this campaign.
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That is Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi, who is said to have a £53million release clause included in his contract. football.london understands that reports of interest in the Spaniard from Arsenal is genuine and a bid for the 24-year-old in the coming months is a possibility.
However, the midfielder has since discussed the prospect of a move to Arsenal or Barcelona in an interview with Spanish outlet Sport. He said: "Rumors, rumors, because I told my manager that I didn't want to hear anything, especially in winter. Leaving Real Sociedad aside with the season we are having would be illogical. Here I am very happy."
While the release clause could throw some different thoughts into the mix, Zubimendi clarified that he wishes to stay at Sociedad, adding: "Beyond the clause, when someone wants to be in a club, the clause doesn't matter. I think it is a balanced clause with all the aspects that the contract brought together. Nothing more than that... I look forward to a quiet summer. Like the others and nothing."
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