On Wednesday, Sport indicated Arsenal look way out in the front in the race for Martín Zubimendi, while his €60m release clause makes him only a dream for Barcelona.
The La Liga side are still chasing the Real Sociedad star and claims have stated their sporting director, Deco, met with his agent.
This is backed up by Mundo Deportivo, who also discuss Arsenal interest in the 25-year-old.
Deco invited Zubimendi’s agent Iñaki Ibáñez for a meeting earlier this week and has again conveyed Barca’s interest in his client. The director is also aware it won’t be easy since La Real are requesting €60m for the midfielder.
Mundo explain that it’s not linked to Real Sociedad qualifying for Europe, and there are other factors, which aren’t mentioned, that’ll make him either accept or reject offers that may come his way.
When discussing interested parties, Arsenal and Bayern Munich are are also mentioned, and it’s claimed the Gunners have ‘always positioned themselves’ to secure his services.
Over at Estadio Deportivo, they say Real Sociedad are ‘outraged’ after Zubimendi’s agent met Deco, and have made it clear that he can only leave if his €60m clause is activated.
Estadio state Arsenal and Bayern ‘have shown their willingness to pay’ Zubimendi’s €60m clause, and the player himself, given how much he feels for his current club, will probably prefer to join someone who hasn’t outraged them.
