Mikel Arteta is close to completing another summer signing for Arsenal, as reports suggest an agreement has been reached.
Arsenal’s sporting director, Andrea Berta, has long admired Viktor Gyokeres, and the 26-year-old striker has emerged as a key target for the Gunners as they seek to strengthen their attacking lineup.
The club is showing serious interest in Gyokeres as a potential signing, with Berta particularly keen on the Sporting CP forward. Compared to other targets like Alexander Isak, Gyokeres appears to be a more realistic option for Arsenal.
In addition to reinforcing their attack, Arsenal has been persistently linked with Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi. Recent reports now claim that an agreement has been finalized for the Real Sociedad star to join the North London side this summer.
Zubimendi, whose contract includes a £51 million release clause, has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time. Negotiations were previously in an advanced stage, especially after the midfielder rejected a move to Liverpool last summer.
The Gunners are expected to offload Thomas Partey and Jorginho as their contracts near expiration, making room for Zubimendi in the squad.
According to Marca Radio, via Sport Witness, Zubimendi is now “on his way to Arsenal.” While there were rumors that Real Madrid could try to hijack the deal, it appears that Arsenal has successfully secured his signature.
Reflecting on his future in an interview with El Diario Vasco last December, Zubimendi explained his decision to reject Liverpool’s offer. He admitted that the opportunity took him by surprise while he was on vacation, and he needed time to assess his options. He ultimately chose to stay at Sociedad because he believed it was the best decision for his development.
Zubimendi dismissed the notion that certain opportunities only come once in a lifetime, stating that talent and ambition naturally lead to success without unnecessary urgency. He also considered his growth, personal identity, and the club’s vision before deciding to remain at Sociedad for another season.
Meanwhile, Arsenal is prioritizing attacking reinforcements this summer, particularly after their Premier League title hopes suffered due to injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz.
The club attempted to sign a forward in the January transfer window but was unsuccessful. Arteta acknowledged the disappointment, emphasizing that while Arsenal had clear objectives, they could not secure the right players. He reiterated the club’s strategy of targeting only specific signings who can truly improve the squad.
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