Martin Zubimendi sparks major Arsenal concern with new comments on club future

Martin Zubimendi insists he 'does not know' how the summer will end despite widespread reports that he will sign for Arsenal. The Spanish international also waxed lyrical about newly-appointed Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso amid reports that Los Blancos could try to hijack his move to north London.

"Of course there are options," said Zubimendi while on international duty. "But it's true that it seems like it's going to be a different, long summer, and I don't know how it will end. Thinking about it right now is not my top priority. I'm here with the national team, which I think is already quite demanding, and if I have to say something, then I will."

Basque news outlet reported that Zubimendi was 'visibly uncomfortable' when asked about Alonso and the prospect of him calling about a move to the Bernabeu. Alonso managed Zubimendi at Real Sociedad's B team, and the midfielder swiftly jumped up to the senior side.

He said: "I have always said that [Alonso] was my idol and that, for me, it was lucky that he was able to coach me in the reserve team in a very important year.

"The following year I was already in the first team and, well, I don't like to talk about those hypotheses [of Madrid calling], I prefer to talk about the present, because I also think that it would be disrespectful to answer from the national team training camp and before facing such an important competition."

Zubimendi and Spain will face France on Thursday night in the Nations League semi-finals. The 26-year-old is believed to have agreed to join Arsenal in a £51million deal and everything is in place pending the completion of a medical.

However, it is understood that Sociedad would prefer to delay the move formally going through until July for accounting purposes. That could leave the door ajar for Real to launch an audacious hijack for a player who fits the right profile to replace club legend Luka Modric, who is leaving this summer.

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