Transfer Centre

Arsenal's Mikel Arteta 'adds Aurelien Tchouameni, Martin Zubimendi to midfield shortlist'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 31 October 2023

Arteta 'adds Tchouameni, Zubimendi to midfield shortlist'

Mikel Arteta reportedly adds Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal's shortlist of midfield targets.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reportedly holds an interest in signing Aurelien Tchouameni or Martin Zubimendi.

The Gunners are currently enjoying a strong start to the season, accumulating 24 points from their opening 10 matches in the Premier League.

Furthermore, Arteta has witnessed his team take six points from their opening three games in the Champions League, helped by the level of investment in the summer.

Over £100m was spent on signing Declan Rice from West Ham United, the England international a regular starter alongside Martin Odegaard in the engine room.

As it stands, though, they do have not a regular third wheel, a combination of Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Fabio Vieira and Kai Havertz all featuring in a midfield three at some stage this campaign.

Thomas Partey in action for Arsenal on October 20, 2022 © Reuters

If reports are to be believed, Partey is open to a transfer away from the Emirates Stadium, while Jorginho has less than a year remaining on his current terms.

According to Calciomercato, Tchouameni and Zubimendi are both considered as transfer targets of Arteta's.

Real Madrid's Tchouameni is in just the second of a seven-year contract at the Santiago Bernabeu and he has already made a total of 64 appearances in all competitions.

The 23-year-old has also made 12 starts this campaign, an indication that he is first choice under Carlo Ancelotti when fit, but it appears that Arsenal have their sights set on trying to sign a player who would cost in excess of £80m if he was made available for transfer.

Real Sociedad's Aihen Munoz and Martin Zubimendi celebrate after the match on October 24, 2023 © Reuters

Meanwhile, Zubimendi came through the academy system at Sociedad to become a key part of the first team, contributing five goals and seven assists from 157 appearances in all competitions.

Possessing a contract until 2027, the Spain international is tied to Sociedad in the long term, but it is widely expected that he will eventually sign for a bigger club.

Any approach is likely to be made in the summer, although that could be dependent on if and when the North Londoners are able to generate their desired fee for Partey.

Arteta also hopes to have Mohamed Elneny as an option to start in due course with the Egypt international having recently made his return from a serious knee injury.