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Mikel Arteta is ‘using his connections’ to try and sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi for Arsenal in the summer transfer window.

That’s according to SportBILD, who say Arsenal are battling with Bayern Munich to sign the highly rated defensive midfielder.

The newspaper explains that Bayern have turned their full focus to Zubimendi as they seek to add a specialised defensive midfielder to their squad in the summer.

He is now the preferred candidate for those in charge, as opposed to Fulham’s Joao Palhinha, and the German giants are also pushing for Zubimendi.

Their move will ultimately depend on who they hire as their next manager, who will be handed final say on the matter, although if it is Xabi Alonso he is likely to accept as he worked with the player at Real Sociedad and shares the same agent as him.

Both of those things could put Bayern out in front, but they are aware of the interest from Arsenal, where SportBILD say Arteta is ‘using his connections’ to try and get the midfielder to the Emirates.

It doesn’t explain what those connections are, but he also has ties to La Real, having played for the club during his playing career,

Either way, Arsenal are very much in the mix and Arteta seems to be the one driving the idea of adding his compatriot to the Gunners squad this summer.