Arsenal may have been handed a clearer route to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad this summer, with Bayern Munich yet to make their interest ‘concrete’.
That’s according to journalist Florian Plettenberg, who says Bayern are not as keen as they once were as they’re not going to appoint Xabi Alonso as their next manager.
He explains that while Zubimendi is on the list at Bayern, they have never advanced to anything beyond showing an interest in him.
That’s because a possible transfer was closely linked to the potential arrival of Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen but as he’s now decided to stay with the German champions, plans have changed.
That potentially leaves a clear path for Arsenal, who have made the 25-year-old a transfer target this summer. Their interest is something that Bayern have been informed about.
Should Arsenal want to move they will have to match his release clause, which currently stands at €60m.
That’s a big fee and it remains to be seen if they’re willing to spend that much after the outlay on Declan Rice last summer, but various reports from Spain and Germany have made it clear Mikel Arteta is a fan of Zubimendi and would like to get him.
If that is the case then now may be the time to move, with Bayern hesitating after Alonso turned them down.
