Zubimendi cools Arsenal talk: 'Alonso my idol'

Martín Zubimendi has claimed his aboriginal remains unfastened contempt beardown links to Arsenal, and admits caller Real Madrid brag Xabi Alonso is his "idol."

Arsenal person been moving connected a woody for the Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder for a fig of months and sources person told ESPN that a woody is close, pending a medical.

Zubimendi, however, has insisted helium doesn't cognize however the summertime transportation model volition play out. Arsenal, Madrid and Liverpool -- who the 26-year-old turned down past summertime -- are each options, portion a enactment astatine Sociedad is besides connected the table.

"Of people determination are options, but it's existent that it looks similar it's going to beryllium a different, agelong summer, and I don't cognize however it's going to end," Zubimendi told Radio Nacional from the Spain nationalist team's camp.

"Right now, reasoning astir it isn't my priority. I'm present with the nationalist team, which is already rather demanding, and if I person to accidental something, past I will."

Last week, Zubimendi posted photos from his Instagram relationship showing him astatine a formation successful San Sebastian, aft reports that helium was successful the United Kingdom for an Arsenal medical.

He explained: "It's an illustration of what surrounds the satellite of football. Sometimes I aftermath up and work things I didn't cognize I'd done, and that was an example.

"It's existent that I don't instrumentality it excessively seriously, but with those photos I wanted to emphasise that that wasn't the world of what was happening."

While Zubimendi, who has spent his full vocation astatine Sociedad, categorises a determination to Madrid arsenic different "hypothesis," helium has said Alonso is 1 of his idols.

"I've ever said that helium was my idol and that for maine it was a changeable of luck that helium was capable to manager maine successful the reserve squad successful a precise important year," Zubimendi added.

"[But] I don't similar to speech astir those hypotheses, I similar to speech astir the present. I deliberation it would beryllium disrespectful to reply a question [about a Madrid move] portion I'm successful the nationalist team, and facing specified an important competition."

Spain play France successful a Nations League semifinal connected Thursday.