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David Ornstein has provided a new update on Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

Last summer, Liverpool identified Martin Zubimendi as their top midfield target, with Arne Slot seeing the Spaniard as the ideal profile for the base of his midfield.

The Reds were willing to go to any lengths to sign the Spanish international and even triggered his €60 million (£51 million) release clause.

They also offered to triple his wages in a bid to bring him to Anfield.

However, Zubimendi opted to stay at Real Sociedad, citing emotional ties to his hometown club?

According to reports, the 26-year-old’s reluctance to leave was due to the simultaneous exits of Mikel Merino and Robin Le Normand last summer.

Real Sociedad persuaded him to stay by offering a contract renewal while maintaining his release clause.

This late rejection left Liverpool as the only Premier League club without a summer signing at that point.

However, while Liverpool reportedly remained keen on Zubimendi even after the summer rejection, multiple reports have surfaced claiming that Arsenal have closed the deal for the 25-year-old midfielder.

The Gunners reportedly plan to activate his €60 million (£50.1 million) clause this summer, bolstering a midfield set to lose Thomas Partey and Jorginho.

Last week, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reacted to those reports, claiming that while reports about Zubimendi’s imminent move to the Emirates are rife, his move is not quite so clear-cut as being reported elsewhere.

He has now clarified the news, revealing that Arsenal is very confident of securing Zubimendi’s services next season.

“Arsenal are internally operating under the assumption that Zubimendi will join in the summer,” the journalist noted during the latest episode of The Athletic FC Podcast on YouTube.

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