Arsenal are prepared to sell Martin Zubimendi — but only for a fee that would shatter the club's record sale. According to Spanish journalist Tomas Gonzalez Martin, relayed by Fichajes, the Gunners have placed a £100 million price tag on the midfielder, more than £60 million above Arsenal's highest-ever transfer receipt.

Real Madrid are the club circling Zubimendi. Los Blancos missed out on Rodri earlier this summer and are now weighing the Spaniard as a deep-lying playmaker for manager Jose Mourinho's midfield. However, the report states that Madrid president Florentino Perez is unwilling to pay the figure Arsenal are demanding.

Arteta's reluctance to sell

Manager Mikel Arteta has been unequivocal in his desire to keep Zubimendi at the Emirates. He recently described the 27-year-old as an "important player" and credited him with being decisive in Arsenal's title run-in last season.

"Without a doubt, he was one of the best players for Arsenal last season. Without him, we would never have got into the position that we got into in the last few weeks," Arteta said.

Zubimendi started 34 of Arsenal's 38 Premier League fixtures last season and came off the bench in the remaining four, helping the club win the title. He also started 11 of 14 UEFA Champions League matches, quickly establishing himself as a cornerstone of Arteta's rebuilt midfield.

A complicated squad picture

Despite his importance, Zubimendi lost his place late in the campaign to Myles Lewis-Skelly and new signing Bruno Guimaraes — who joined Arsenal from the same position — has added further competition. Zubimendi nonetheless started Arsenal's opening Premier League fixture against Coventry City on Friday night.

Guimaraes missed that game through injury, while Declan Rice has struggled with fatigue and fitness in recent months, meaning Zubimendi's role in the squad may be larger than it appears from the outside. FourFourTwo understands Arsenal would only sanction a sale at the right price, with Arteta intent on maintaining depth across four competitions this season.

Transfermarkt values Zubimendi at €75 million. Arsenal face Aston Villa when Premier League action resumes next week.