Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in the summer, Sky Sports News understands - but the Gunners are working hard for a new striker this month.
Zubimendi has a release clause believed to be £51m and Arsenal are already planning for the summer with Thomas Partey and Jorginho entering the final six months of their contracts.
It is thought Arsenal wanted to do a deal in this window but it appears a compromise has been struck for Zubimendi to stay at Sociedad for the rest of the season.
The 25-year-old is under contract at La Real until the summer of 2027. Liverpool agreed a deal to sign Zubimendi last summer - only for the player to change his mind and stay in Spain.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are working hard behind the scenes to recruit a striker in this transfer window.
The north London club have been exploring both long-term targets and short-term options even before Gabriel Jesus' injury.
Arsenal will be sensible, especially with longer-term targets, as they know selling clubs will feel they can charge more.
The Gunners are one of the clubs keeping an eye on PSG forward Randal Kolo Muani this month, according to Sky in Italy.
PSG are willing to let the 26-year-old leave but want a permanent sale or loan with an obligation to buy.
Sky Sports News understands Tottenham remain interested in the France international, while Manchester United have not followed up their initial enquiries.
Sky in Italy are reporting that Juventus, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund are the other clubs in the race. Kolo Muani has been frozen out at PSG because head coach Luis Enrique prefers to play with a false nine.
Sky Sports' Sam Blitz:
The timing of Arsenal's imminent move for Zubimendi is very interesting. Most of the Gunners fanbase are shouting for a new forward but, instead, it is a defensive midfield arrival later this year that emerges from the north London club.
Looking at the smaller and wider context of this pursuit, Arsenal moving for Zubimendi is no surprise.
On the smaller context, the Spaniard is one of the most sought-after defensive midfielders in Europe - best displayed by Liverpool's public interest in him last summer.
"It's not so easy to find players who can help us or even strengthen the squad. Zubimendi was one of them, to be fair, but he decided not to come," said Liverpool boss Arne Slot in August. The notion that Liverpool saw the 25-year-old as an improvement to their already excellent squad speaks volumes.
The signs were also there earlier last summer. Zubimendi's second-half display in the Euro 2024 final against England - in which Spain actually improved after losing the future Ballon D'Or winner Rodri to injury at half-time - rubberstamps his elite-level status.
There is a wider context to the Zubimendi pursuit and perhaps Arsenal have been planning for this move for some time. In the 2019-20 season, Zubimendi was part of a Sociedad team that also had current Gunners players Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino in the midfield.
It is also worth noting that the starting striker in La Real's team that season was current Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, whom the Gunners have been linked with.
Arsenal are, ultimately, trying to get their own Rodri. With doubts over Declan Rice's best midfield position at No 6 or No 8 - plus uncertainty over the contracts of ageing midfielders Jorginho and Thomas Partey - it is an area Arsenal need to strengthen.
Zubimendi seems like the perfect arrival given his background. He was shaped by Basque Country amateur youth club Antiguoko - who also marked the start of Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso's careers.
Zubimendi played under Alonso in the Real Sociedad B team, and is now about to work with another Antiguoko alumni in Arteta.
Arsenal need reinforcements up front to support forward Kai Havertz after Gabriel Jesus suffered a suspected long-term injury - but who could they sign?
Read Sky Sports' striker shortlist for Arsenal here.
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