If they have managed to sign both come the summer, Arsenal committing about £60million ($73m) on a holding midfielder in the Spaniard presumably means Declan Rice — the holding midfielder they spent £110m on 18 months ago — is now viewed primarily as a No 8.

Arsenal are reportedly close to finalising an agreement to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi this summer. The Spain international was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool last year, with Arne Slot’s side determined to bolster their midfield core with the addition of the 25-year-old.

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Martin Zubimendi, according to reports. Notorious transfer guru Fabrizio Romano and the Daily Mail are reporting that the Gunners have struck a deal for the midfielder,