Martin Zubimendi has verbally agreed personal terms with Arsenal on a long-term deal, talkSPORT understands.
Zubimendi has also told Real Sociedad of his intention to join the Gunners once his £50million release clause is triggered.
Zubimendi helped Spain beat England in the Euro 2024 final[/caption]
Liverpool did not revisit their interest after Zubimendi performed a U-turn on moving to Anfield last summer.
talkSPORT reported in January that a deal was on the cards for the north Londoners.
Mikel Arteta‘s side at that point were at an advanced stage in their talks.
But now the player has given his seal of approval to the move when Arsenal trigger his release clause.
With Jorginho and Thomas Partey potentially leaving the club as a free agents, a new midfielder was always a target.
Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes was also on Arsenal’s list as they look to bolster their squad for another shot at the Premier League and Champions League.
Both have eluded them this year, missing out to Liverpool on home shores and being defeated by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals of their European run.
The signing will be seen as a real coup for Arsenal given how keen their Premier League rivals, Liverpool, had been on Zubimendi last summer.
Talking about his tactics to TNT Sport earlier in the campaign, their manager Arne Slot described how the 25-year-old was a talented technician who can progress the ball.
The Dutchman said: “I prefer them to get the ball behind those two.
GettyZubimendi is a Spain international and Euro 2024 winner[/caption]
“Therefore these two (Liverpool centre-backs) are so important that we can find them behind those two (first line of opposition press), instead of asking the ball over here or there or there (wide).
“We prefer them keep more in midfield.
“I even think the player that we wanted to bring in – I think it’s out in the open that much – was also a player that was really comfortable, is still a player that is really comfortable on the ball and can bring the ball from our last line to our forwards.”
And soon-to-be Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso had similar praise for Zubimendi after working with him in his younger days at Real Sociedad.
He said: “Martín’s a player all coaches would want.
“He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself.
GettyZubimendi is happy to get stuck in as well as deliver precise passes[/caption]
“He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions; to improve the move.
“He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him. He has that ability to organise, the axis. I loved working with him.”
Arsenal face Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday and are set to give their rivals a guard of honour to acknowledge the achievement.
The Gunners currently sit 15 points behind the Reds with three games to go.
