Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal eye Real Sociedad’s Zubimendi

Arsenal are set to join the race for Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi, while Real Madrid are looking at a trio of Sporting CP players to ad their defensive injury crisis. Join us for the latest transfer news, rumors, and gossip from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Arsenal are interested in signing Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi, reports the Independent. Manager Mikel Arteta is reported to have identified the 25-year-old as an ideal signing to provide balance in midfield, and the Gunners are hopeful of utilising their positive relationship with the LaLiga side after they signed Mikel Merino. Zubimendi, who turned down a move to Liverpool in the summer, has also recently been linked with Manchester City.

– Real Madrid are monitoring Sporting CP defensive trio Gonçalo InácioOusmane Diomande and Zeno Debast, according to Record. Madrid are looking at potential candidates to strengthen their backline after losing Éder Militão to a season-ending ACL injury. The highly-rated trio has been key in helping Sporting have the best backline in the Portugal league. Inácio, 23, and Diomande, 20, are both under contract with Sporting through June 2027. Belgium international Debast, 21, moved to Sporting in the summer from Anderlecht and has a contract until June 2029.

– Manchester United are monitoring Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Martin Baturina but face competition from Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, TEAMtalk reports. Baturina, 21, has already made 98 starts for Dinamo, scoring 17 goals, and appeared for Croatia at Euro 2024. United have already scouted him several times, although Dinamo are hopeful of holding onto him until next summer.

– Talks between Barcelona and the representatives of centre-back Ronald Araújo regarding a new deal have stalled, reports Marca. Araujo, 25, will enter the final year of his contract next summer, and despite the club having sent him an official offer to extend his stay, it is reported that the Uruguay international is yet to respond. The LaLiga side are also hopeful of reaching an agreement over a new contract with midfielder Frenkie de Jong.

– Interest is expected to surface for the signature of Aston Villa striker Jhon Durán, reports Football Insider. The 20-year-old Colombia international, who was linked with Chelsea and West Ham United in the summer, has been in impressive form of late having scored eight goals in 603 minutes of football, and it is reported that he wants to be at a club where he is the first-choice option. The Villans are believed to be willing to part ways with him if they are offered a “huge fee.”

EXPERT TAKE

Sam Tighe looks at why signing Martín Zubimendi could be hugely beneficial for Arsenal:

It’s been alarming to watch Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta scurry about for answers in the wake of Martin Ødegaard’s injury. True, others have missed time too, but it’s the Norwegian’s absence that has really knocked this ship off course. He is crucial to the functionality and flow of this Arsenal team, as without him they’ve not only struggled for performances and results, but they’ve withdrawn into a defensive shell, too.

Their average possession per game in the Premier League this season is just 50.4% — an 8% drop on last season’s figures. In the Champions League it’s even lower — dead on 50% — and they’ve struggled to control games with the ball in both competitions without Ødegaard in there.

Signing Zubimendi, then, would ease the burden on Ødegaard and help keep the team running should he miss games in the future. He’s a masterful controlling midfielder from deep who would represent a big upgrade on both Thomas Partey and Jorginho. The fact he has an in-built relationship with Mikel Merino from his time at Real Sociedad and with the Spain national team is an added, major bonus: They’ve played 164 matches together, according to Transfermarkt, with an on-pitch relationship stretching all the way back to 2019.

OTHER RUMORS

– Manchester United are monitoring Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez, who has impressed for the Cherries this season with two Premier League assists so far. (Football Transfers)

– Newcastle United are “relaxed” over Alexander Isak’s future at the club and are not concerned about reports the striker is unsettled at St James’ Park. (Chronicle)