Arsenal & Barcelona handed huge transfer blow as manager rules out summer sale

Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil has expressed unwavering confidence that Martin Zubimendi will remain with the club for next season.

90min understands Arsenal have added Zubimendi to their final list of midfield targets ahead of the summer transfer window, having considered him on a number of occasions over the past 12 months.

Zubimendi is also a long-term target for Barcelona, but the Spanish side are not expected to offer any real competition for his signature amid concerns over Sociedad's refusal to negotiate away from his €60m release clause.

Not only do Sociedad not want to sell Zubimendi, but Alguacil has now insisted that the midfielder himself is looking to remain with his current club.

"Martin Zubimendi wants to stay here and for sure he will stay with us at Real Sociedad next season.
I have no doubts, he’s staying with us," said Alguacil.

"There are rumours about him from other teams as well because he is a great player and this year he is in the Champions League.

"There is a lot of talk about him and I understand that this is good for the club and for him."

Barcelona host Real Sociedad on Monday, but Alguacil confirmed that Zubimendi will miss this encounter due to injury.

"Zubimendi is not going to make it to Monday's game but his progress is good and I think he will be ready for Thursday," the boss said. "It's more of a precaution, so that he can be in perfect condition on Thursday."

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