Arsenal and Liverpool target Martin Zubimendi responds to January transfer links

Today at 12:19 PM

Martin Zubimendi has sought to brush off transfer speculation linking him with Arsenal and Liverpool ahead of the January transfer window.

Zubimendi was the subject of plenty of speculation in the summer and looked set to join Liverpool when they agreed to meet the Real Sociedad midfielder’s £51m release clause.

However, the Spain international rejected the advances from the Premier League and instead signed a new contract at Real Sociedad, the club he has been with since 2011.

Despite that new contract, speculation remains that a move could be on the cards in the New Year, with Arsenal now seen as a potential destination.

However, the 25-year-old has insisted that he is paying no attention to the outside noise ahead of the transfer window reopening.

‘There will always be rumours and now that January is approaching, there will be too, but I don't waste energy on outside noise,’ he told Estadio Deportivo.

‘I'm happy with the way I'm handling it and I'm going to handle it.’

Speaking earlier in the year after his Liverpool transfer fell through, Zubimendi said he was content with the decision that he made to snub Arne Slot’s side.

'I made my decision from within, I thought it was the best thing to do, the results don't affect me,’ he told Noticias De Gipuzkoa.

‘I see the potential in this team, you just have to watch us train and I'm excited about having a good season.'

Liverpool’s failed attempted to sign the Spaniard, however, has not thwarted their efforts this season, with Ryan Gravenberch excelling in the deepest midfield role.

And it is Mikel Arteta’s side, now, who look in need of an additional midfielder given their well-documented injury troubles which have left them nine points below Liverpool in the league.

The Gunners signed Mikel Merino from La Real last summer and, according to The Independent, believe those negotiations, as well as Arteta’s personal history with the club, could pave the way for another high-profile signing in midfield.

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