Arsenal appear to be making significant progress in their pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with reports indicating a £51 million summer transfer is edging closer to completion. The Spain international, who recently helped his country triumph at Euro 2024, reportedly has a “100% agreement” on personal terms with the North London club ahead of a potential move to the Emirates Stadium.
Zubimendi previously turned down an opportunity to join Liverpool last year despite the Merseyside club triggering his €60 million (£51 million) release clause. The 25-year-old has continued to be an integral part of Imanol Alguacil’s Real Sociedad side this season, making 23 appearances across all competitions while contributing one goal and two assists. Though his current contract runs until June 2027, this campaign is increasingly likely to be his last with the Basque club, who are said to be preparing for his departure.
Recent reports had suggested Arsenal had “virtually completed” a deal to sign Zubimendi this summer by activating his release clause. However, subsequent speculation indicated the transfer was not yet secured, with European giants Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona all maintaining strong interest in the midfielder.
According to FootballTransfers, Arsenal have now reached a complete agreement with Zubimendi regarding wages, with the transfer expected to be finalized when the summer window opens. Real Sociedad will be powerless to prevent the move if Arsenal trigger his release clause. The midfielder is a product of Real Sociedad’s youth academy and has amassed 211 appearances for the club, scoring nine goals and providing nine assists during his time there.
The news comes at a crucial time for Arsenal, whose Premier League title aspirations suffered a setback following Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa. The result left the Gunners in second place, six points behind leaders Liverpool who also have a game in hand. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta addressed the club’s immediate transfer needs after the match, admitting his squad is “very short” when questioned about potential January arrivals.
“Not the result. When you look at the performances, I don’t know how many teams are playing at this level in the league, but when you look at the bench, probably you say, I think we are very short,” Arteta told reporters in his post-match press conference.
The Gunners must now shift their focus to Wednesday night’s Champions League fixture against Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates Stadium, followed by a Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers next weekend. These matches could prove crucial for maintaining momentum across multiple competitions as they await Zubimendi’s potential arrival in the summer.
The acquisition of Zubimendi would represent a significant statement of intent from Arsenal as they look to strengthen their midfield options. His experience in La Liga and international football, combined with his technical abilities and tactical understanding, could provide the Gunners with additional quality in their pursuit of major honors.
This transfer saga highlights the increasing competition for top talent among Europe’s elite clubs. Despite interest from multiple prestigious institutions, Arsenal appears to have positioned themselves favorably to secure Zubimendi’s signature. The reported agreement on personal terms suggests the player sees the Emirates as an attractive destination for the next phase of his career.
Arsenal’s proactive approach to summer recruitment, even as the January window remains open, demonstrates their long-term planning and ambition. The potential addition of Zubimendi could provide them with greater depth and quality in midfield, particularly valuable given the demands of competing across multiple competitions at the highest level.
As Arsenal continues their pursuit of domestic and European success, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether they can maintain their competitive position while preparing for significant summer reinforcements. The reported agreement with Zubimendi represents a promising step forward in their ongoing project under Arteta’s leadership, though much work remains to be done both on and off the pitch as they seek to close the gap at the top of the Premier League.
