Arsenal have already found their perfect Thomas Partey replacement

With Thomas Partey and Jorginho looking increasingly likely they won’t be returning to the Emirates Stadium next season, Mikel Arteta’s has some work to do in rebuilding a new midfield for the 2025/26 campaign.

The Ghanaian international has been a major part of Arsenal’s midfield since joining in 2020, continuing his legacy for nearly five years and even starting in 36 of Arsenal’s 43 matches this season.

Although after the latest rumours, the 31-year-old seems increasingly destined for a move back to Spain with Barcelona being tipped as his likely new home.

The deal is even more attractive to the Catalan club due to their dire financial situation – bringing in Partey on a free contract offers an easy way to bolster their squad without splashing the cash.

But already looking forward to next season, Arteta has set his eyes on a hot European prospect who has already attracted some attention from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.

Martin Zubimendi raised eyebrows for his impressive performances for the Spanish national team during their 2024 Euros winning run. But instead of making a big money move to the Premier League, the midfielder chose to stay at Sociedad but now football.london understands that the Gunners have been long admirers of Zubimendi, dating back even before then.

With a Partey-shaped gap in Arteta’s midfield, now may be the perfect opportunity for the 26-year-old, who has a release clause worth €60million (£52.3million), to finally make the move to London.

Unlike many highly inflated transfer clauses, Zubimendi’s is worth exactly the same as his release clause according to Transfermarkt, so may offer good value for money as Sociedad can’t campaign for a higher fee.

But the biggest hurdle to bring him to England may be his love for his current club. Speaking to the Spanish press in August he revealed: “I didn’t have any pressure from my close circle.

“My friends are clear that whatever I decide, it will be the best. There is no pressure at all. Real Sociedad for me is my life, I think I’ve been in there for half my life. A lot of what I am is part of Real, it’s my life.”

Then, during the November international break, Zubimendi claimed that he was still happy at Real Sociedad. As quoted by Estadio Desportivo, he said: “There will always be rumours and there are again now that the month of January is approaching, but I don’t waste energy on the noise outside. I’m happy with how I’m handling it and I’m going to take it.”

But with Real Sociedad currently sat in eighth and outside any European football, the draw of the Champions League and wages that come along with a top four Premier League team may be enough to bring him in.

• Source: NEWHD MEDIA