Man United planning move for Arsenal target

FA Cup holders Manchester United continue their bid to retain the trophy when they face Fulham in the fourth round on Sunday afternoon.

The Red Devils defeated rivals Manchester City in last year’s final at Wembley, and new head coach Ruben Amorim will be desperate to see his side retain the trophy this time around.

United’s Premier League form will give the Cottagers hope of victory, though, as the Manchester club have won just five of their 16 league games since Amorim took charge.

The Red Devils are likely to be active in the transfer market during this summer’s window, as Amorim and those in charge of the club look to overhaul and bolster their squad.

It appears that United are now plotting a move to hijack Arsenal’s pursuit of a La Liga star.

According to GiveMeSport, the Manchester outfit are considering a move to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The central midfielder – who was part of the Spain squad that won the European Championships last summer – has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in recent months, but the report claims that United are now pondering a move for the player this summer.

Zubimendi has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal

Amorim could lose two midfielders from his squad this summer with both Casemiro and Christian Eriksen edging closer to departures, and with that in mind those leading the club’s recruitment are eyeing potential replacements.

Zubimendi has therefore emerged as a target, as the Spaniard has a £51 million release clause in his current contract.

The 26-year-old has spent his entire senior career with Sociedad and last year rejected a proposed move to Liverpool, such is his commitment to his boyhood club.

In total he has played 222 appearances for the Spanish side across all competitions, but he could depart San Sebastián this summer with clubs increasingly aware of his release clause.