Arsenal may have just made the deal for £53 million that will solve all of their transfer market problems for January.
The Gunners are looking to upgrade in multiple spots. They need a new midfielder, possibly a new center-forward, and defensive depth to cover in the middle and left back. Amadou Onana has been mentioned as a potential transfer target, however the cost of such a deal would be high.
Mikel Arteta, who spent almost £200 million in the summer, is also facing FFP. However, Arsenal may be able to resolve their issues by activating a player’s release clause who has been on their radar for some time.
According to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Arteta is thinking of activating Real Sociedad player Martin Zubimendi’s release clause.
This season, Kieran Tierney has been loaned by the north Londoners to San Sebastian. Earlier this season, rumours circulated regarding a larger scheme to use the Scottish full-back as a sweetener with La Real. After the transfer, Arsenal and the Basque team are on reasonably good terms, and it’s possible that they were cultivating a connection with the goal of recruiting Zubimendi in the future.
Arsenal can sign a player for the stated fee without having approval from Real Sociedad; all they have to do is alert La Liga when a player’s release clause is activated. However, they are free to arrange a move that helps them financially despite the FFP issues. In any case, bringing about a release clause lets them know what they’re paying now and be ready to make up for it in the next few weeks’ worth of sales.
But, it is quite probable that Zubimendi will turn down Arsenal, as he did the previous winter.
Transfermarkt estimates the 25-year-old’s value at €50 million.
