
Transfers
£51m Arsenal target is refusing to sign a new contract at his current club
Whilst Arsenal are currently locked into what remains of their Champions League run, Andrea Berta and his team are working diligently behind the scenes.
Berta has been spotted at several Arsenal matches since being appointed as the club’s new sporting director, an experienced head who already seems determined to make a difference.
The pursuit of a new striker is likely to dominate a lot of the transfer talk in north London this summer — Berta is increasingly keen to sign Viktor Gyokeres for example.
However, the Italian has also been tasked with improving Mikel Arteta’s squad in several other areas too.
And given that Thomas Partey is set to leave Arsenal as things stand, there is considerable work needed on Arteta’s midfield.
Martin Zubimendi approaching his last six games at Real Sociedad
Along with Partey, Jorginho is likely to leave and that explains why Arsenal are interested in Martin Zubimendi.
The Real Sociedad midfielder is perhaps seen as a direct replacement for Jorginho first and foremost — a considerable upgrade.

READ MORE: Arsenal could have an ‘interesting’ situation developing with Ben White
Berta is confident of signing Zubimendi despite all the noise about Real Madrid also being in the race for his signature this summer.
But in terms of Zubimendi putting pen to paper, the midfielder has ‘refused’ to sign a new contract at Real Sociedad according to Spanish source .
In their report, the outlet claims that the Spain international is now approaching the final six games of his time at the club.
It’s considered a ‘forgone conclusion’ that Zubimendi will finally leave his boyhood club in the summer — a message that Liverpool weren’t lucky enough to receive last summer.
Liverpool wanted to sign Zubimendi immediately after Arne Slot’s arrival, only for him to decide to stay in Spain.
Andrea Berta might sign two midfielders for Arsenal
Of course, with Partey and Jorginho both potentially leaving, Zubimendi’s arrival alone may not be enough to cover the pair’s minutes.
Perhaps as a result, Arsenal are interested in Sverre Nypan at Rosenborg, an 18-year-old who usually operates in a more advanced midfield role.
However, with Declan Rice able to play in several midfield positions, perhaps Nypan could still contribute to filling the void.
As things stand, Aston Villa are confident of signing Nypan but there have already been plenty of twists when it comes to which club the Norwegian will choose next.
A massive summer for Arsenal to get right, and their shopping list only appears to be increasing.