Arsenal move ahead of Manchester City in race to sign 25-year-old midfielder with £50 million release clause: Reports

Arsenal have reportedly edged ahead of Manchester City in the race to lure Martin Zubimendi away from La Liga outfit Real Sociedad in the future.

According to Spanish news website El Nacional, Gunners manager Mikel Arteta is the reason behind why the north London outfit could beat City in the ongoing race. His cordial relationship with Real Sociedad could play a crucial role in Zubimendi's potential future transfer.

The Gunners, who are nine points off Premier League leaders Liverpool, are ready to trigger Zubimendi's £50 million exit clause. However, the Manchester City-linked holding midfielder's wish to remain at his boyhood club could potentially hinder the north London club's plans.

Zubimendi, who rejected Liverpool's advances earlier this summer, made his debut for Real Sociedad in April 2019. He has registered nine goals and as many assists in 204 overall appearances for his club so far.

Should the UEFA Euro 2024 winner join Arsenal in the future, he could prove to be a brilliant signing. He would emerge as a vital starter, potentially replacing Thomas Partey, in Arteta's preferred 4-3-3 formation.

Arsenal urged to snap up 25-year-old striker

Speaking to betting outlet Prime Casino, ex-Arsenal and Chelsea defender William Gallas urged the Gunners to launch a move for Napoli loanee Victor Osimhen. He said (h/t GOAL):

"If I could sign one player for Arsenal in January, it would be a world-class striker, but they are not available in January. No top, top strikers are available at the moment. I wanted to speak about Osimhen because I know he's at Galatasaray, and I still don't understand why he's there. That's the type of profile Arsenal need."

Comparing Osimhen to a former Chelsea striker, Gallas continued:

"They need a player with that pedigree. With Victor, maybe he won't score 20 goals in the season, but he will scare defenders, he will give them a hard time, and that will give the opportunity for players around him to score goals. That's why he reminds me a little bit of Didier Drogba. If you remember when Drogba was at Chelsea, he gave the defenders a hard time."

Osimhen, 25, was reportedly linked with both of the aforesaid London clubs earlier this summer. After failing to finalise a permanent move away from Napoli, he joined Turkish giants Galatasaray on a loan transfer.

So far this season, the Nigeria international has netted eight goals and laid out four assists in nine games across all competitions for Galatasaray.