Long term €60 million Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi is extremely close to accepting an offer to play for Mikel Arteta next season, according to Spanish publication AS.

The Real Sociedad midfielder has been on the North Londoners radar since last summer, and came close to joining the Gunners during the January transfer window but he was reluctant to leave Sociedad due to their Champions League pursuit that was ended in the Round of 16 by Ligue 1 moneybags PSG.

However, according to reports from Spain Barcelona are no longer in contention to sign Zubimendi - leaving the 24-year-old ‘very close’ to accepting a proposal to play for the Gunners.

The midfielder has a €60 million release clause in his contract but the canny Gunners conscious of FFP demands could even propose to sign the coveted player via a long-term payment plan rather than paying the fee immediately. 

With Arsenal narrowly missing out on the Premier League title, the Gunners boss is desperate to boost his squad for another tilt at silverware next term - with defensive midfielder Zubimendi fitting the bill perfectly as Arteta looks for an upgrade on Thomas Partey.

Partey, 30, has played the No6 role with the impressive Decaln Rice pushed further forward in the No8 role, but Arteta is already looking forward to the future with a young replacement.

Zubimendi has been virtually ever-present in La Liga this season while completing 85 per cent of his passes. He has won nearly two tackles and five duels per game - with the No6 also impressive in aerial duels. 

Another factor in Arsenal's favour is that Arteta shares the same representative as Zubimendi, which could boost the club's hopes of sealing the deal.