Real Madrid are planning a crucial Tuesday meeting as they attempt to thwart one player’s potential move to Arsenal, with Galacticos president Florentino Perez seeing him as a “key” part of the La Liga side’s plans.
Mikel Arteta makes Arsenal summer transfer admission
Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal are set for a “big” first summer transfer window under new sporting director Andrea Berta, which will come as a very encouraging statement for Gunners supporters following another failed Premier League title bid.
Arteta says that the north Londoners will aim to bolster the depth of their squad, and also admits that he’s excited by the arrival of Berta, who officially joins Arsenal to replace Edu Gaspar after 12 successful years at Atlético Madrid.
“It’s going to be a big transfer window for us, we are very excited about it”, said Arteta on Arsenal’s summer transfer plans.
“We need to increase the depth of the squad but, as well, you want to increase certain qualities and skills that we need to now go to the next step”.
On Berta, the Spaniard praised him as a “very impressive” transfer chief and called him a major addition to Arsenal, while explaining that the 53-year-old has a very “clear vision”.
“Straight away the words that come out are always winning, improving and demanding, and he’s a person, very honest, very straightforward with a very clear vision of what he wants to do,” said Arteta on Berta.
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Arsenal’s next five Premier League games |
Date |
|---|---|
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Fulham (home) |
Today |
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Everton (away) |
April 5th |
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Brentford (home) |
April 12th |
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Ipswich Town (away) |
April 20th |
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Crystal Palace (home) |
April 26th |
“He was so willing to join us, which is a very positive thing as well because he had many other possibilities, and he chose to come to us. Now it’s about us giving him the support and the understanding of the situation and context straight away, and for him to start to do what he’s already done for many, many years at the highest level, which has been very impressive.”
One of Berta’s first orders of business, according to various reports, will be to wrap up a pre-summer deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
Arsenal have been in advanced talks to sign Zubimendi since January, but other elite sides like Real Madrid pose a threat to Arteta’s hopes of finalising a move for the Spain international, who’d help to fill the void left by exit-bound midfield duo Thomas Partey and Jorginho.
While Arsenal are tipped as favourites to sign Zubimendi, the pull of Real could come as a worry for Berta, and Defensa Central now claim they’re looking to scupper the director’s hopes imminently.
Real Madrid plan “decisive meeting” to hijack Arsenal deal for Zubimendi
As per the Spanish news outlet, Real are planning a “decisive meeting” to sign Zubimendi today, and wish to finalise his signing ahead of Arsenal, as their club president Perez views him as a “key” summer signing and replacement for Toni Kroos.
The Galacticos play Sociedad in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final this evening, and Real chiefs view this as an ideal opportunity to advance in talks over a deal for the midfield star.
Real are also convinced that they need to move fast if they wish to stop the “world-class” 26-year-old from joining Arsenal, as per this report. However, while Arsenal are prepared to pay his £50m release clause (Fabrizio Romano), Defensa believe that Carlo Ancelotti’s side will attempt to negotiate around it.
The Spanish champions wish to ascertain whether they can pay it in installments or offer a player to lower Zubimendi’s price, and it is unclear if Sociedad would entertain this.