Any plans Arsenal may have to sign Martin Zubimendi this summer appear to have taken a hit, after the Spanish midfielder insisted that he anticipates a quiet summer transfer window. 

The Real Sociedad star is thought to be on the Gunners' radar, while he has also been the subject of interest from Catalan giants Barcelona.

The midfielder turned down Arsenal's advances over the January window, despite the fact that the Premier League leaders were willing to pay his £52.5million release clause to bring him to north London. 

Zubimendi's agents were in the English capital during the January transfer window, but no move materialised between the Gunners and the player's boyhood club.

The player insisted that he was not interested in leaving Sociedad halfway through the season - a point he repeated in an interview with Sport. 

Martin Zubimendi was subject of heavy interest from Arsenal with the Gunners willing to pay his release clause in January

'Rumors, rumors, because I told my manager that I didn't want to hear anything, especially in winter,' Zubimendi told Sport, when asked about the links with Arsenal.

'Leaving Real Sociedad with the season we are having would be illogical. Here I am very happy.'

And when asked whether he anticipates the saga being reignited this summer, he added: 'I look forward to a quiet summer. Like the others and nothing.'

Arsenal's pursuit of a deep-lying midfielder saw them bring in Chelsea's Jorginho on deadline day for a £12m fee, although that move will likely have come about only as a result of missing out on Zubimendi.

The Gunners - who are five points clear at the top of the Premier League - have seemed overly reliant on current pair Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, without whom they appear to struggle. 

Zubimendi in fact played alongside Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard when the former was on loan from Real Madrid in 2019-20, with the pair winning the Copa del Rey that season.  

But Mikel Arteta - himself a former Sociedad midfielder - is not the only Spanish manager keen on the player. 

Xavi is thought to view the 24-year-old as a long-term successor to Sergio Busquets, and the player spoke of his admiration for the Barca and La Roja legend. 

'When comparing myself to Busquets, anyone would lose out. We share a position, but at the same time we are very different,' he said.

'Busquets is the best at what he does. In my own way I will try to make my way, the comparisons may be there but I do not focus on them. 

'I am happy that players of the stature of Busquets pay attention to players like me. He has been a reference, he is the one who knows the most. That he quotes me makes me very happy.'

In October, Zubimendi extended his existing deal at the club until 2027, although he was not happy to increase his release clause from £52.5m to £79m (€90m).