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Arsenal and Real Madrid have been locked in a transfer battle for Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi since the start of June.
The Gunners have been tracking the Spain international for over 12 months - following his call to reject Liverpool last summer - with Mikel Arteta viewing him as a vital acquisition.
Despite a third successive Premier League second-place finish, the club hierarchy will back Arteta in the transfer market, with new sporting director Andrea Berta working on a shortlist of targets.
Alongside the drive to bring in a new striker - with RB Leipzig hotshot Benjamin Sesko rumoured to be Arteta's No.1 choice - Zubimendi will add something fresh to the midfield.
Late interest from Xabi Alonso had sparked concerns for Arteta, due to Zubimendi's strong relationship with his former coach and his previous desire to remain in Spain, but that link now appears to have ended.
Arsenal are confident the deal is now almost over the line with Alonso ready to back away following a meeting with club president Florentino Perez.
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Martin Zubimendi latest: Arsenal beat Real Madrid in transfer race
Zubimendi's current La Real release clause is set at €60m [$69m], but in order to secure a structured payment plan, Arsenal have reportedly agreed to pay €70m [$80m].
That allows the club to pay the fee in three annual blocks, rather than the full clause up front, which was the La Liga side's early demand.
Reports from Marca claim Alonso wanted to launch a late bid to hijack Arsenal's plan as he looked to add a 'controlling midfielder' to his squad options.
However, Perez rejected the pitch, as he believes the current midfield options are enough and wants Alonso to focus more on defensive targets after securing Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It comes as a first transfer disagreement between Perez and Alonso, with the Huijsen and Trent deals completed before his arrival, alongside a pre-agreement for River Plate star Franco Mastantuono who will join in August.
That should be the final push for Arsenal, but Arteta and Berta are still looking to remain on the right side of Premier League rules on Profit & Sustainability [PSR].
PSR rules are likely to mean the deal is nudged to July 1, to allow the fee to be added to the 2025/26 balance sheet, as opposed to the current one.
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