Arsenal 'willing' to pay £52m release clause to land La Liga star as Sergio Busquets comparison made

The current Premier League leaders Arsenal are said to be ‘way out in the front’ as the race for the Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi heats up. The Gunners main competition appears to be Real Sociedad rivals Barcelona, but the €60 million (£52m) release clause La Real are asking for is making it increasingly hard for the Camp Nou dream to become a reality.

Sport Witness indicated on Wednesday that while the La Liga giants are still chasing Zubimendi, with the club’s sporting director Deco having met with the midfielder’s agent, Arsenal are the clear front-runners, and are willing to pay the required £52 million.

Reports on Mundo Deportivo also backed up Sport Witness’s claims and said Deco invited Zubimendi’s agent, Inaki Ibanez, for a meeting earlier this week attempting to convey Barca’s interest in his client. The 25-year-old’s future, however, remains increasingly unclear and with a spot in next year’s UEFA competitions near confirmed, Zubimendi could remain put. Mundo continue their report by indicating that there are other factors, not mentioned, that could make him accept or reject any potential offers that come his way.

When discussing the potential move to either Arsenal, or Bayern Munich, Mundo writes that the Gunners have ‘always positioned themselves’ to secure his signature.

Additional reports from Estadio Deportivo have indicated that the Spanish star’s current side are ‘outraged’ to learn that the midfielder’s agent met Deco, and have made it clear he can only leave the Basque club if the €60m is met. Estadio also writes that both the Gunners and Bayern ‘have shown their willingness’ to pay the required release clause fund and it’s now highly likely the player will opt to move to a club that hasn’t ‘outraged’ his current side.

The defensive midfielder has been a part of the Real Sociedad set up since 2011, coming up through the ranks with the C and B squads before making his senior debut in 28 April 2018, coming on as a late substitute in the side’s 2-1 win over Getafe CF. He has gone on to make nearly 150 La Liga appearances, scoring seven times, and has five international caps to his name.

The 25-year-old has drawn comparisons with fellow countryman Sergio Busquets over the years, due to his composure, control and ability to adjust the game’s tempo while his ball retention in tight spaces has called for others to draw likeness to players such as Xabi Alonso and David Silva.