Arsenal's search for a new midfielder this summer has already suffered a setback as the Gunners could miss out on all of their top three targets.
For now, Mikel Arteta's focus will be firmly on the title race as the Gunners hope that they can win all of their remaining four fixtures and hope reigning champions Manchester City slip up somewhere along the long. However, the summer transfer window is not far away and Arsenal's targets are already becoming clear.
Arteta is keen on adding a new midfielder to the crop, amid rumours that Thomas Partey is edging closer to the Emirates exit and Jorginho also facing an uncertain future. Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi has long been linked with a move to the Emirates, but his recent update on his own future may not fill the Gunners with hope.
"It's all just rumours and they don't bother me," the 25-year-old explained. "I'm happy at Real Sociedad, it's like my home. I can't say I will be here all of my career because maybe in the future Real Sociedad won't want me."
Arsenal aren't the only ones keen on prying Zubimendi away from Sociedad. Bayern Munich and Barcelona have prevously expressed an interest, while the player himself is thought to be desperate to one day ply his trade under idol Xabi Alonso, who coached him at Sociedad's B team.
According to the Evening Standard, other names on Arteta's transfer wishlist include Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes and Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz. Both have had admirers at the Emirates, with the Gunners previously lodging a bid for the latter, which was swiftly rejected by Villa.
A deal for either could prove difficult, given neither Newcastle nor Villa have any interest in selling. Guimaraes penned a new five-year deal at St. James' Park as recently as October, while Luiz signed one with Villa 12 months prior, meaning neither club can be cornered into selling on the cheap any time soon.
The Evening Standard also claim that Arteta has other targets under consideration, with Arsenal understood to be open to exploring other options if those three moves fail to materialise. The title contenders are desperate to sign at least one midfielder this summer, and that remains a priority for club chiefs.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should Arsenal sign this summer? Comment below
The Gunners boss was recently pressed for comment on the club's transfer plans. While he kept his cards close to his chest, Arteta did make clear his passion for progression remains at the forefront of his decision making.
"We have a few ideas," the Spaniard explained. "That is what this team, this club and our people are demanding – to keep moving forward, in a ruthless way, because we are not satisfied with where we are." Last month, he echoed a similar sentiment, as Arteta told reporters: "The plans that we have for the summer are very clear.
"They were done almost at the start of the season understanding what we can have, the contract situations with some players, and how we can improve certain areas of the team. This situation doesn’t change that."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.