Kieran Tierney's departure could kick off a transfer domino effect that would see Arsenal land their perfect Thomas Partey successor.
Tierney has been linked with a move away from the Emirates for months, with the Scotland international having fallen behind Oleksandr Zinchenko in Mikel Arteta’s defensive pecking order.
And transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claimed on Friday that Tierney was closing in on a move to La Liga outfit Real Sociedad.
The journalist said on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter: “Understand Kieran Tierney will travel to Spain on Saturday in order to join Real Sociedad on loan from Arsenal.
“Medical tests have been booked. Here we go, confirmed.”
And there is a reality where Tierney’s departure puts the wheels in motion for Arsenal to land Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
The 24-year-old Spaniard was linked to Barcelona and Arsenal earlier in the window, with several publications claiming the midfielder has a £53million release clause in his deal.But should Tierney impress on his loan he could be used as a sweetener in any prospective deal for Zubimendi in future.Indeed, Arsenal could potentially offer Tierney to the La Liga outfit plus cash for Zubimendi in January or next summer’s transfer window.
For now, however, the Spain international insisted he was happy at Sociedad this summer and motivated by the prospect of inheriting Asier Illarramendi’s role in the side, despite links to Barcelona and Arsenal.
Speaking to El Diario Vasco Zubimendi said in June: “Inheriting Asier Illarramendi’s No4 motivates me more than Sergio Busquets’ No5.”
Moreover, he added in an interview with Marca via the Evening Standard back in May: “I have never planned to leave Real Sociedad - I always say that. I love life here, at home, I’m so happy here. The value of this club are same as mine so I feel very good, I always said that I’m happy.”
But beyond this window the central midfielder could prove to be the perfect replacement for Partey at Arsenal. The Ghanaian has been linked with a Gunners departure in recent months with clubs in Saudi Arabia and Italy said to be interested.
While Partey is unlikely to leave Arsenal before next Friday’s transfer deadline, his long-term future at the Emirates appears uncertain, with Zubimendi potentially a perfect alternative to the 30-year-old.
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