Arsenal news: Liverpool‘s recent pursuit of Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi has made waves in the football world, especially among Gooners. The Reds had their eyes set on Zubimendi as their marquee signing for 2024, a move that echoes Arsenal’s attempt to bring the midfielder to the Premier League in the winter of 2023.
Arsenal’s interest in Zubimendi was well-documented, but he opted to stay in Spain, declining the north Londoners’ offer. Now, Liverpool hoped to secure his services but faced a similar outcome. Zubimendi has reportedly turned down Liverpool’s offer and is set to extend his contract with Sociedad.
Arsenal target will not move to Liverpool now
This development comes as a surprise to many Premier League fans. Zubimendi’s decision to remain at Sociedad, coupled with a new contract on the horizon, signifies a strong commitment to his current club. Interestingly, this turn of events might unexpectedly benefit Arsenal.
Reports from Spain reveal that Sociedad is focused on retaining both Zubimendi and his teammate, Mikel Merino. The club’s intention is to offer both players new, lucrative contracts to make them the highest-paid at Sociedad. While Zubimendi has accepted the offer, Merino’s future remains uncertain as he is still keen on a move away from the club.
With Zubimendi staying put, Sociedad might find it easier to let Merino go. If Liverpool had successfully signed Zubimendi, Sociedad might have been less inclined to release another key player like Merino. Therefore, Liverpool’s missed opportunity could inadvertently open the door for Arsenal to pursue Merino.
Liverpool’s failure to land Zubimendi could turn into a silver lining for Arsenal. If Merino becomes available, the Gunners might seize the chance to bring in another valuable asset, proving that in football, one club’s loss can indeed be another’s gain.
More news:
Bruno Guimaraes, a player Arsenal has been eyeing, recently made it clear that he wants to stay at Newcastle United. He’s been promoted to the leadership group at St. James’ Park, which shows how committed he is to the club. However, the Athletic has stirred up some buzz by reporting that Manchester City has shown interest in the Brazilian midfielder.
According to the Athletic, Manchester City’s chances of striking a deal with Newcastle for Guimarães might be slim, but the club remains hopeful. The Premier League champions might be keen to add Guimarães to their squad, especially since they have some financial flexibility. With Julian Alvarez sold for around £82 million, and Joao Cancelo, Jack Grealish, and Kalvin Phillips potentially on the chopping block, City could have the funds to make a significant move for Guimarães.
The thought of Guimarães joining City could be worrying for Arsenal fans. The north Londoners already face a tough challenge in competing with City. If Guimarães moves to City, he could strengthen their midfield significantly, addressing their issues when Rodri is out of action. Guimarães’s addition would likely make City even more formidable in the middle of the park.
