Mikel Arteta gets boost as dream Edu transfer target 'knows' Arsenal want to sign him

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is reportedly aware of Arsenal's desire to sign him this summer.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for Zubimendi in recent months. Reports in the January transfer window speculated that Arsenal could make a move for the 25-year-old, but instead, he remained at Sociedad.

Liverpool have also been tentatively linked with a move for Zubimendi, although Arsenal have been the club that have been deemed to be the most likely destination for the player were he to leave Sociedad. It has been reported that the midfielder has a$60 million (£53 million) release clause in his contract with the La Liga club.

Amid continued speculation around Zubimendi's future, a report has emerged providing an update on the midfielder. Dean Jones of GiveMeSport has claimed that the Sociedad is fully aware of the Gunners' interest in his signature and went on to make a claim about Arsenal's chances of getting a deal over the line.

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«It would give Zubimendi a big decision to make,» Jones told GiveMeSport. «First and foremost, I think the player wants to consider his options carefully and be sure that if he is going to move to the Premier League, it's the club that fits him. He doesn't want to make a misstep at this stage of his career, from what I understand.

»Obviously, Mikel Arteta is a big admirer of his, and he knows that Arsenal want to sign him. Arteta has his own links to Real Sociedad and the region, so that's good from an Arsenal perspective."

Zubimendi has progressed through Sociedad's academy and has made 179