Arsenal transfer: Gunners close to signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in summer Football News
Arsenal are close to signing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in the summer. sky sports news Understood.
Zubimendi's release clause is believed to be as high as £51m and Arsenal are already planning for this summer, with Thomas Partey and Jorginho entering the final six months of their contracts.
Arsenal were thought to be hoping to seal a deal during this window, but a compromise appears to have been struck to keep Zubimendi at Real Sociedad for the remainder of the season.
His contract runs until the summer of 2027.
Last summer, Liverpool agreed to sign Zubimendi, but the player changed his mind and stayed in Spain.
Analysis: Arsenal get their own Rodri
Sam Blitz, Sky Sports:
The timing of Arsenal's impending move for Zubimendi is interesting. Most Gunners fans were clamoring for a new striker, but instead it's the defensive midfielder who will emerge from the north London club later this year.
Arsenal's acquisition of Zubimendy is no surprise given the smaller and wider context of this pursuit.
On a smaller scale, the Spaniard is one of the most popular defensive midfielders in Europe – as evidenced by Liverpool's public interest in him last summer.
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Earlier this summer, Liverpool manager Arne Slott spoke out about Martin Zubimendi rejecting a move to Anfield.
“It's not easy to find players who can help us or even strengthen the team. To be fair, Zubimendi was one of them but he decided not to come,” Liverpool manager Arne Slaughter said in August. It's telling that Liverpool view the 25-year-old as an improvement to their already excellent squad.
These signs were also present earlier last summer. Zubimendi's second-half performance against England in the Euro 2024 final – which Spain actually improved after losing future Ballon d'Or winner Rodri to injury at halftime – proved his elite status .
Zubimendi impressed in Euro 2024 final win over England
There is a wider context to the pursuit of Zubimendy and perhaps Arsenal have been planning this move for some time. In the 2019-20 season, Zubimendi's Real Sociedad midfielder also included current Gunners players Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino.
It's also worth noting that Real Madrid's starting striker that season was current Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, whom the Gunners had been linked with.
Zubimendi (right) with Real Sociedad's Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino
Ultimately, Arsenal are trying to get their own Rodri. With questions surrounding Declan Rice's best midfield position at No. 6 or No. 8, plus uncertainty over the contracts of veteran midfielders Jorginho and Thomas Partey, this This is an area that Arsenal need to strengthen.
Given Zubimendi's background, his arrival seems like a perfect fit. He was molded by Basque country amateur youth club Antiguoko, which also marked the start of the careers of Mikel Arteta and Xavi Alonso.
Zubimendi played for Real Sociedad's B team under Alonso and is now set to team up with another Arteta alumnus, Antigoco.
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