Arsenal are set to name Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi as the club's first signing in a bumper summer transfer window. However, the Spanish midfielder won't be receiving the welcome gift he may want due to another player in Mikel Arteta's squad.

Zubimendi has reached a verbal agreement with Arsenal over his contract at the Emirates Stadium ahead of a move that has seemed inevitable for months, according to talkSPORT. It's claimed that the 26-year-old has informed La Real that he wants to make the switch once his £50million release clause is triggered at the end of the season.

But his hopes of keeping his preferred shirt number are already dashed by the fact Ben White wears the No. 4 for Arsenal.

Zubimendi has donned the No. 4 shirt for La Real across the last two seasons, as well as during his final year in the club's youth academy.

But with White expected to remain a part of Arteta's squad next term, the midfield maestro will have to settle for an alternative option.

Zubimendi has also worn the No. 3 shirt in San Sebastian, while his latest three shirts for the Spanish national team have displayed the No. 6, No. 18 and No. 5.

The No. 3 will be up for grabs, with its current occupant, Kieran Tierney, returning to Celtic on a free transfer once his Arsenal deal expires in July.

Takehiro Tomiyasu has slipped down Arteta's pecking order but isn't yet confirmed to be surrendering the No. 18 shirt.

Meanwhile, there is almost no chance that Zubimendi struts through the entrance and swipes the No. 6 from Gabriel Magalhaes.

Thomas Partey, Arsenal's current No. 5, is on the brink of a free exit this summer, with the club yet to tie him down to a new contract.

However, Arteta has made his desire to keep the 31-year-old midfielder within his ranks after considering this season to be his best in North London.

"Yes [I want Partey to stay]. I think consistency-wise, it's been his best season," Arteta explained on Thursday.

"The way he's played, performed, his availability, has been exceptional, and he's a really important player for us."

Jorginho will make way and is set to join Flamengo in time for this summer's FIFA Club World Cup.

Zubimendi is ultimately in line to arrive as the Italian's replacement, adding the energy and technical quality needed for Arteta to finally get over the line and deliver major silverware.