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Andrea Berta is already ‘confident’ that £50m star will be Arsenal’s first summer signing
Arsenal remain confident that they will be able to secure a deal for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi as their first summer signing, TBR Football can exclusively reveal.
Andrea Berta was appointed as Arsenal’s new sporting director partly because of his expertise and reputation in the European market.
And upon joining, one of Berta’s priorities will be securing the signing of Zubimendi, a deal that Arsenal have had in the pipeline for some time.
Of course, Real Madrid are also interested in Zubimendi — unwelcome added stress for the Gunners in terms of their own pursuit.
However, given that Thomas Partey could leave Arsenal, the club are determined to land Zubimendi, who would become their latest signing from Real Sociedad.
Arsenal are convinced that Martin Zubimendi will choose them
That being said, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Arsenal are ‘confident’ that they will secure a deal for Zubimendi as things stand.
The club wants the signing concluded before the summer break, one that they want to go into with Zubimendi as their first signing of the Berta era.
READ MORE: How Arsenal feel about signing Kingsley Coman after holding talks with Bayern Munich star
Talks have been progressing since the international window and Arsenal now think that they player is very close to finalising his agreement with them.
As mentioned, Real Madrid’s interest is still there, but this latest push from Arsenal has really turned up the pressure on Zubimendi’s camp to finalise an agreement.
Of course, given his own San Sebastian roots, Mikel Arteta has also been a huge factor in Arsenal’s efforts to sign the Spaniard.
Arteta has talked to Zubimendi at length and it’s already proving beneficial that the club are so firmly behind their manager.
Arteta is central to Arsenal’s plans to sign Zubimendi and the player knows that if he does come to the Emirates Stadium, he won’t be working under a new coach anytime soon.
Andrea Berta’s work won’t stop at Martin Zubimendi
Unfortunately for Arsenal, they might not be so successful in their attempts to land 18-year-old Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg.
Nypan is edging towards Aston Villa having been convinced about the amount of opportunities Unai Emery is willing to offer young players.
Therefore, it will be interesting to see if Berta and his recruitment team pivot to another midfielder instead.
Arsenal have shown interest in Martin Baturina at Dinamo Zagreb, however it’s nothing more than that as things stand.
But in a summer in which Partey and Jorginho could both leave Arsenal on free transfers, we might see more than one new midfielder arrive in N5.