Barcelona are reportedly undecided on whether to pursue a move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi this summer.
La Blaugrana are set for a significant summer of change in the engine room as they prepare to bid an emotional farewell to long-serving captain Sergio Busquets.
The 34-year-old will officially depart when his contract expires at the end of the month, and Xavi has unsurprisingly made a replacement for Busquets his priority target for the summer window.
The La Liga champions are thought to be closing in on a deal to sign Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer from Manchester City, and the German has been pictured with Blaugrana director of football Mateu Alemany ahead of his proposed switch.
However, it is still unclear if Gundogan will be a like-for-like replacement for Busquets, as the 32-year-old has seldom occupied the number six position for the Premier League champions.
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In contrast, Zubimendi has established a reputation as one of Spain's finest defensive midfielders, and he has long been linked with a switch to Camp Nou to succeed Busquets.
While first-team head coach Xavi is determined to get Zubimendi through the door, Sport claims that sporting director Deco has reservations over a move due to his price tag.
The 24-year-old still has another four years left to run on his Sociedad contract - which he renewed in October - and those terms include a €60m (£51.6m) release clause.
As a result, Barcelona are fearful that they will not be able to afford Zubimendi, and Deco is already scoping out cheaper alternatives to the Spain international.
However, Barca could still generate the necessary funds through player sales in the coming weeks, although Zubimendi has already stated that he wants to continue in Sociedad colours.
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The midfielder has represented the White and Blues since the age of 12 and has played 143 matches for the club in all tournaments, scoring four goals and registering six assists.
Zubimendi ended the 2022-23 season with one goal and four assists from 44 appearances, starting 35 La Liga contests as Sociedad qualified for the Champions League with a fourth-placed finish.
The Spaniard made his first and so far only appearance for the national team in a friendly win over Lithuania in June 2021, but he was an unused substitute in La Roja's Nations League triumph earlier this month.
Arsenal were rumoured to have been considering a move for Zubimendi in January, but they quickly abandoned those efforts after the 24-year-old reaffirmed his commitment to Sociedad.
The likelihood of the Gunners reigniting their interest for the summer window is slim, as Mikel Arteta's side are working on deals for West Ham United's Declan Rice and Chelsea's Kai Havertz instead.
Ben Knapton
