Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow in their move for Zubimendi with Arsenal set to activate release clause this January.
According to reports in Spain, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has turned down a move to Arsenal despite the Gunners being willing to activate his €60 million (£52.6m) release clause.
Mikel Arteta is looking to strengthen his midfield options in January, and the Premier League leaders have already completed a £27 million deal with Brighton for Leandro Trossard this week.
However, the Premier League leaders are looking to add to Arteta’s squad before the transfer window closes, and an approach for Zubimendi has been made.
According to Cadena SER, Arsenal has informed Real Sociedad that they intend to activate Zubimendi’s €60 million (£52.6 million) release clause this month.
According to the report, the 23-year-old has turned down a move to Arsenal because he wants to finish the season with Real Sociedad.
Zubimendi renewed his contract with Real Sociedad in October, tying him to the La Liga club until 2027.
The midfielder has also been heavily linked with a summer move to Barcelona.
Real Sociedad attempted to increase Zubimendi’s release clause to €90 million (£79 million), but the midfielder refused.
‘When the market opens, it’s normal for there to be rumors, they’re always there, but I’m lucky to be surrounded by good people who make me focus on La Real and I don’t want to waste energy on other things,’ Zubimendi said last month when asked about his future.
‘The clause was not raised. The truth is that it is a topic that surprised me, because I was overjoyed to have renewed and noticed that there were many comments about the clause not being raised.
‘It is a figure that I thought was balanced, what it should be, when compared to other players.’