Arsenal-linked midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been given a glowing endorsement from his former youth coach, Xabi Alonso, with the manager revealing that he had to convince the player of how good he was.

Zubimendi has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in the summer transfer window. football.london understands that Arsenal have been tracking the midfielder since 2023.

The 25-year-old has a €60 million (£52.3m) release clause in his contract. He was thought to be close to a move to Liverpool back in the summer but opted to stay at Real Sociedad.

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A move in the upcoming summer could now be on the cards, with Arsenal reported to be leading the race. Speaking as part of a documentary called The Spirit of Real Sociedad, Alonso has delivered an assessment that will excite Arsenal fans about a potential move.

"How good he was on the pitch, he didn't quite believe it off it,” he said via Noticias de Gipuzkoa. “Look, Martin, you have to accept it.”

The former Liverpool man also explained why the midfielder may have turned down a move to Liverpool in the summer, having spent his entire career with Real Sociedad. “When you talk about a nice player project, Martin's case is perfect,” he said. “Players of this level, who have been fighting for the project for so many years and see the potential it has; that is because many things are being done well.”

Zubimendi has played 18 times in La Liga so far this season, scoring once and providing two assists. He may be next in action when Sociedad take on Rayo Vallecano in the Copa del Rey round of 16 clash on Thursday night.