‘Arsenal deal to sign Martin Zubimendi hits huge stumbling block’
Martin Zubimendi’s proposed move to Arsenal in the summer has hit a “huge stumbling block” after Real Madrid joined the race for his signature.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 26-year-old will now have to choose between the two potential destinations.
However, he explained that players often find it difficult to turn down a move to Real Madrid and Arsenal will have to work hard behind-the-scenes to convince him of the move.
The Gunners have been long-term admirers of the midfielder and had already begun work behind the scenes to secure his move to the Emirates.
However, late emerging interest from Madrid has placed pressure on their ongoing negotiations as Los Blancos believe they can hijack the move.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been looking to add further quality to their midfield alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, as many expect Thomas Partey to leave in the summer.
The Ghanaian is out of contract with no talks over a renewal having taken place, leading the club to enter the transfer market for a replacement.
Real Madrid join Arsenal in race to sign Martin Zubimendi
Interest in Zubimendi has been long-standing in England after Liverpool failed in their attempts to sign him in the summer when he opted to remain in Spain.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Arsenal should have kept their interest under wraps until a deal was officially agreed.
“I’m always surprised when these stories about interest in players get out,” he told Football Insider.
“It alerts everybody else to the move.
“If you’re going to go for Zubimendi, you have to keep it under wraps until it’s all done and agreed, and that’s when you let the press know.
“You don’t let any of that information to come out before it happens.
“Zubimendi has got a very good reputation and to play for Real Sociedad you have to be a player.
“But Real Madrid are now in for him, and that’s a huge, huge stumbling block in front of Arsenal.
“Now they’ve got to be more persuasive than they are, and that takes a bit of doing.
“They have to convince the player that a move to Arsenal will be better for him and his career than a move to Real Madrid would be.
“I’ve said before, in my experience, it’s very hard for players to turn down Real Madrid.
“When that opportunity comes up and they come calling, they usually get their man, and they’ll be confident they can do it again.
“So I expect it will take plenty of effort and convincing for Arsenal to get this one done now.”
Harry Kane talks to take place behind the scenes at the Emirates
On top of their efforts to convince Zubimendi to make the move to North London, the Gunners are also lining up a potential swoop for a new striker this summer.
Harry Kane has emerged as a surprise option given the £54million release clause in his Bayern Munich contract, and he could make his return to England sooner rather than later.
The 31-year-old remains a legend at Tottenham, for whom he made 435 appearances and scored 280 goals, and there have been questions about whether he would make the switch.
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