Arsenal get green light for January deal as Barcelona make transfer decision

Arsenal could look to strengthen their midfield in the upcoming January transfer window and Mikel Arteta's side have been given a boost after it emerged that Barcelona are no longer interested in one of their targets

Barcelona have decided against trying to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who has attracted interest from Arsenal.

The Spanish champions have previously been linked with the 24-year-old, with manager Xavi said to view him as a potential replacement for Sergio Busquets after he left the club this summer to reunite with Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami.

Speaking about Zubimendi ahead of a Copa del Rey game between Barcelona and Real Sociedad, Xavi said: "He is a more physical and faster player than Busquets, who is technically better. But not only Zubimendi, all of Real Sociedad’s midfield players. We are playing a great team and Zubimendi is a great footballer."

However, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have decided they now want a different type of midfielder to replace Busquets. The report states that they are after a player similar to Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni.

Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes, Everton's Amadou Onana and Monaco's Youssouf Fofana are among the options currently being monitored by Barcelona. The news comes as a boost to Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta said to be an admirer of Zubimendi

The Spanish international was 'very close' to joining Arsenal earlier this year, but decided to remain at Real Sociedad out of loyalty to the club and helped them qualify for the Champions League.

Despite Arteta strengthening his midfield this summer with the signing of Declan Rice, football.london state that they are still interested in Zubimendi. The midfielder has a €60million (£51.5m) release clause and the report claims that Zubimendi joining Arsenal in the January transfer window is 'certainly possible'.

And Arteta has admitted Arsenal could make some moves next month with several players currently out injured. "We're going to have to adapt," he said. "We have what we have right now.

"It's true that the January window is coming up, and we will have to assess where the squad is and the needs that we have, but at the moment it's something we cannot change, we have to play all the games now throughout December in the best possible way and keep winning games.

"We have to consider every scenario, we need to have clear timeframes as well of when those players are going to be back, in which condition and to play how many minutes. After we’ve done all that work, we’re going to try to make the best call for the team."

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