Arsenal are growing frustrated with the actions of one of their key summer transfer targets.
The Gunners have identified the areas of their pitch that need strengthening in this window, and they are actively working on those deals.
One position where Arsenal could end up being really short of options is central midfield.
The Premier League runners-up have been linked with a number of players for that role in the middle of the park, and a report has now claimed that Edu Gaspar has sent a ‘wage offer’ to one of them.
However, the Gunners have been left frustrated with what has happened.
What Martin Zubimendi has done that has frustrated Arsenal
Martin Zubimendi has been a target for Arsenal for over a year now.
The Spanish midfielder plays for Real Sociedad, which happens to be Mikel Arteta’s boyhood club. He has kept an eye on Zubimendi for a long, long time.
Arsenal have the Spaniard on their list of targets this summer, and reports in May claimed that the Gunners have a good chance of signing Zubimendi in this window.
The Real Sociedad midfielder is a wanted man, and he is viewed by many as an affordable option this summer thanks to his £52 release clause (Sky Sports).
However, Arsenal are far from happy with Zubimendi’s actions.
Football Transfers have claimed that the Gunners have sent a ‘wage offer’ to the Spain international midfielder, but they are growing ‘frustrated’ because he is not responding to that proposal.
The 25-year-old is currently away on international duty with Spain at Euro 2024, but the fact that his agents aren’t responding to the offer either has annoyed Arsenal.
That’s why the report claims Arteta has turned his attention back to Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United.
It will be interesting to see if any response from Zubimendi now will change Arsenal’s stance.
Three players Arsenal can sign instead of Zubimendi
Zubimendi is a ‘world-class‘ player and he would’ve fit into Arteta’s system very well. However, if he’s not responding, Arsenal should look elsewhere.
Everton’s Amadou Onana has been described as a more likely signing for Arsenal than Guimaraes in this window, and he would be a fantastic addition at the Emirates
Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana has also been linked with a move to Arsenal, and reports have claimed that he would be available for just £13 million. That would be an absolute bargain.
Another unlikely yet incredibly exciting option for Arsenal would be Joao Neves. The Portuguese midfielder is one of the best young players in the world, and he has rejected Benfica’s latest contract offer.
Neves will cost a fortune, but he could solve Arsenal’s issues in midfield for the next decade and beyond if they sign him.