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Arsenal hoping to immediately make two signings in the summer but fear interest from Real Madrid

Lucas Arnold

Thu 13 February 2025 11:15, UK

Arsenal are making progress in their move to sign Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi as one of two major midfield additions, TBR Football understands.

Zubimendi is Mikel Arteta’s top midfield target as Arsenal approach a summer that 𒆙will see something of🌳 an overhaul to their squad.

Jorginho and most likely Thomas Partey are set to leave – altho🎐ugh as it stands the club insists talks are ongoing over his future.

Arteta appreciates Partey’s versatility, w꧃ho has often featured as a right-back this sea🦂son.

Zubimendi, who turned down both Arsenal and Livꦍerpool last summer, has decided that 2025 is the right year to leave his boyhood club.

Arsenal concerned that Martin Zubimendi could be tempted by Real Madrid

That considered, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Arsenal are ꦛconcerned about Real Madrid’s interest in Zubimendi.

Arsenal were alerted to the fact that Zubimendi would be willing to😼 leave Real Sociedad in 2025 over Christmas, and then made their move in early Jan▨uary.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta is thinking aꦚ♏bout using an Arsenal defender as a striker after Kai Havertz’s injury

Talks have been ongoing since, and confidence of landing the Spaniard in north London ♐is growing🥂 – Arsenal are talking terms with Real Sociedad and are making progress.

However, Arsenal’s on🔯e major worry is Real Madrid.

Madrid could welcome Xabi Alonso as their new head coach over the summer, and the Galaticos have a major interest in Zubimenidꦏi in their quest to replace Luka Modric.

As a result, Arsenal are ⛦pushing to wrap up a deal with Real Sociedad for Zubimendi before the summer.

Arsenal want Sverre Nypan in addition to Martin Zubimendi

In addition to Zubimendi, Arsenal hope that Norwegian teenager Sverre Nypan will be the second important midfield addition.

Arsenal were confident of signing Nypan 🍷in January, but the midfielder opted t🅺o delay his decision after talking with a number of clubs.

However, Arsen🍸al remain firm favourites to secure his signature.

Manchester United previously wanted Nypan, an 18-year-old who also won’t be short of options in🍸 the summer.

Nypan will now begin another Eliteserien campaign with Rosenborg, a 🐬season that starts at the tail end of March.

And in a similar situation to Lucas Bergvall who joined Tottenham Hotspur from Sweden last summer, Ny🦹pan will be match fit and raring to go in pre-season for whichever club he joins.