Real Sociedad set shocking asking price for Arsenal target Martín Zubimendi

Real Sociedad have made it clear to Arsenal that they will have to pay the full €60 million release clause of midfielder Martín Zubimendi if they want to sign him this month as per a report by The Times.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in recent weeks, with Mikel Arteta keen to add a central midfielder before the transfer window closes in a few days from now. This is due to Mohamed Elneny sustaining a knee injury which could rule him out for the remainder of the season.

Zubimendi has been one of La Liga’s most impressive midfielders this season, making 19 appearances in all competitions and scoring one goal and providing 2 assists. He has also been capped by Spain at Under-21 level and is highly rated by Real Sociedad, who are reluctant to let him leave in January.

The Basque club will obviously not wish to lose such a talented midfielder in these last days of the January transfer window and so they will hope that making the gunners to pay the full release clause will be enough to scare away the North Londoners.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will be willing to meet Real Sociedad’s demands and pay the full €60 million for Zubimendi this month. However, with Elneny’s injury leaving them short of options in midfield, Arteta may decide that paying the full amount is worth it in order to strengthen his squad before the end of the transfer window.