Martin Zubimendi: Man City 'to trigger £50m release clause' and beat Arsenal to dream signing

Manchester City are ready to trigger Martin Zubimendi’s release clause as they step up their attempts to sign players in the upcoming transfer window to help their ailing season.

Pep Guardiola has confirmed the club will delve into the January transfer market after the 1-1 draw with Everton made it one win in 13 matches across all competitions, with their Premier League title defence all but ending before the turn of the year.

He told reporters: “Even the players [think]: ‘Oh, we have to add some players,’ but the truth is, this season we have a lot [of problems]. And this is a problem.

“[But] I think it’s not to bring a player for that [the short term]. You have to bring a player for the next three, four, or five years. And this is sometimes not easy to do. But, of course, I think we have to try it because [the situation] has been sustained for a long time."

According to Football Insider, Zubimendi is a significant January target.

Zubimendi has long been of interest to City, and was Mikel Arteta's dream signing for Arsenal for many windows before the Gunners manager admitted defeat in the summer and instead signed Mikel Merino.

Liverpool also tried and failed to sign Zubimendi.

Guardiola hopes Zubimendi will fill the Rodri-shaped hole in his team after the influential midfielder was earlier this season ruled out for many months with an ACL injury.

Football Insider report that Zubimendi, 25, has a £50million release clause in his Real Sociedad contract, and the figures are not putting City off.