Arsenal midfielder has asked to leave – with £52m ace arriving in January: report

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Arsenal are set for a shakeup in midfield, as Mikel Arteta targets a title push

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on the pitch before the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between West Ham United and Arsenal at London Stadium on November 1, 2023 in London, England.
(Image credit: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Arsenal could be set to replace one of the biggest names in their squad, with one of their more experienced midfielders asking for a transfer.

Mikel Arteta's team bounced back to winning ways against Sevilla in the Champions League this week but are light in the centre of the park at current. Club captain Martin Odegaard is absent with a hip injury, Emile Smith Rowe has a knee problem and Thomas Partey is set to miss the rest of the year. 

But that depth could be reduced even further come January. 

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring their teams second goal with Leandro Tossard of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal FC and Sevilla FC at Emirates Stadium on November 08, 2023 in London, England.

Arsenal beat Sevilla midweek (Image credit: Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)

According to The Sun, Partey has told the Gunners that he wants to leave come January. 

The Ghanaian is also set to miss a portion of the season with the Africa Cup of Nations coming up – but might have been moved on before then, with Arsenal already decided on a replacement. 

90min claim that Real Sociedad superstar Martin Zubimendi is on the radar, with Bayern Munich also circling. 

Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad during the La Liga match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Sociedad played at Civitas Metropolitano Stadium on October 8 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Cesar Cebolla / Pressinphoto / Icon Sport)

Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad is wanted by Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)

Partey's injury is said to have prompted Arteta to shift his focus away from a more attacking signing this January, with Ivan Toney still high on his wishlist. 

Martin Zubimendi is valued by Transfermarkt to be worth €40 million – but reportedly has a €52.m release clause. 

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Meanwhile, the Gunners are being linked with a big move for a £52m-rated talent.

And 'the new Erling Haaland' is also said to be on the North London club's radar.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.