Arsenal are closing in on their first signing of the summer transfer window, with the long pursuit of midfielder Martin Zubimendi coming to an end.

The Gunners were first linked with an interest in the Real Sociedad man at the start of the year. The links came just a matter of months after he turned down a move to Liverpool last summer.

Reports have claimed Arsenal intend to pay slightly above the player’s release clause in his contract in order to stagger payments and the club appear to have beaten off competition for the 26-year-old. His arrival will see a key area of the squad strengthened.

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Jorginho has left the club, and there is still uncertainty over the future of Thomas Partey. The Ghanian is out of contact at the end of the month and is yet to reach an agreement over a new deal with Arsenal, football.london understands that talks are ongoing.

Completing a deal for Zubimendi would be a big boost to Mikel Arteta, so here’s the latest on the transfer.

With a deal months in the making, it seems to be getting closer with reports that the midfielder arrived in Londonon Friday to finalise the details on his move to Arsenal.

Arsenal will pay 'slightly more' than the £51.7 million release clause in his contract, according to Fabrizio Romano, with the final negotiations between the two parties taking place. Completion of the deal will see Arsenal succeed in signing their main midfield target this summer.

Arsenal were handed a worry over the transfer with reports that Real Madrid were making a move for Zubimendi. The midfielder was reportedly identified by Xabi Alonso as a potential target.

However, it’s claimed that Real Madrid waited to long to make a move, and instead turned to other targets. One of those is said to be Man City star Rodri.

The Athletic now reports that Real Madrid decided against pursuing a move for the player with Arsenal being regarded as having the deal done.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague explained what qualities Zubimendi will bring to Arsenal when a transfer is completed. "His passing might sound simple, but he generally chooses well the one pass to do," he said.

He hardly ever loses the ball and that helps with fluidity and team confidence. He reads the game very well, without being the fastest midfielder - he has the puzzle of the team in his head.

"He is lately more up to driving with the ball and even getting into the box, and he would do that if he feels his team-mates can cover for him.

"But his main job is to help with build-up, sometimes going at the level of the centre-backs - make the game fluid, find the man with space, push the team forward, and do the same when it is the matter of applying pressure.

"He is very clever when it comes to deciding when to go or when not to go. A team player, a quiet leader. A key cog in the machine."