Arsenal want to sign Zubimendi instead of Guimaraes this summer | OneFootball

Arsenal are more likely to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi over Newcastle United ace Bruno Guimaraes this summer, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

The Gunners are searching for a new holding midfielder and have been linked with Zubimendi and Guimaraes over the past few months.

Jacobs has now revealed that Arsenal are unlikely to trigger the £100 million release clause in Guimaraes’ contract abd will only consider an approach if the price drops.

A move for Zubimendi remains a ‘more concrete possibility’.

Arsenal could replace Partey with marquee signing

Thomas Partey has had an injury-plagued career with the Gunners. He made only 16 appearances last season and could leave the club.

Jorginho’s recent contract renewal is probably a big hint that Partey could be offloaded. The Gunners are likely to spend big on a marquee defensive midfielder to replace the 30-year-old.

Guimaraes would be a quality acquisition, but Arsenal may not want to spend a nine-figure sum on a midfielder as they may need to make a huge outlay for a centre-forward.

They could look for a cheaper alternative. Zubimendi can be signed for a release clause worth £52 million, but it won’t be easy to prise him away from Sociedad this summer.

Zubimendi has been reluctant to leave his boyhood club over the past few years and manager Imanol Alguacil recently said he will stay at Sociedad next season.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com.