Real Sociedad may have dropped the biggest hint yet that Martin Zubimendi won't be completing a move to Arsenal before the January transfer window closes.
The Gunners' one remaining priority this month, in terms of incomings, after bolstering in defence and attack by signing Jakub Kiwior and Leandro Trossard, has been to add another midfielder to the ranks and there have been links to a number of players across Europe as well as closer to home in the Premier League.
"We’ve been pretty active," Mikel Arteta told reporters following Arsenal's 1-0 loss against Manchester City on Friday night. "We have some necessities and if something else is available the club is willing to try to do it when it’s reasonable and hopefully it’s a player that can improve our squad."
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This admission comes hot on the heels of the Gunners manager confirming he would ideally like to sign a midfielder amid concerns that Mohamed Elneny could miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
"Well, we need some more cover in midfield ideally if we can," Arteta said. "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."
Ibrahima Bamba and Weston McKennie are just some of the names tipped to make a move to the Emirates Stadium ahead of Tuesday's deadline. Whilst, it has emerged that Moises Caicedo is the chosen one, reports claim Brighton & Hove Albion are demanding at least £90m to part company.
Having seen a £60m bid rejected, it remains to be seen if Arsenal will meet the Seagulls' asking price or turn to Zubimendi, who would be a cheaper alternative - albeit still a pricey one as according to The Times, Sociedad are adamant that any suitor must trigger the £52.8m release clause in the midfielder's contract.
With that said, Real Sociedad have made a decision regarding the 23-year-old ahead of their La Liga clash against Real Madrid on Sunday night that perhaps all but confirms no developments with Arsenal as the midfielder has been named in the matchday squad by head coach Imanol Alguacil.
Confirmation of La Real's travelling party was announced via the club's official Twitter account on Saturday afternoon and, as expected, the Spaniard has been included alongside the likes of Mikel Oyarzabal, Takefusa Kubo, captain Asier Illarramendi, Alexander Sorloth and Brais Mendez.
Had Zubimendi been left out it would have most likely generated speculation amongst some Arsenal supporters that a breakthrough with regard to negotiations were close, but unless the midfielder is named amongst the substitutes for only the second time in the league this season, then it seems a potential move to north London is unlikely before 11pm on Tuesday.
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