Arsenal are set to sign Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in a £51 million deal – however they will have to wait until the summer to complete the move.
The move represents a significant coup for the Gunners, who have been tracking the player for over a year.
A Long-Term Target Secured
Mikel Arteta has been a long-time admirer of Zubimendi, and talks have now reached an advanced stage, according to the Daily Mail.
Reports suggest the deal is virtually done, with Arsenal prepared to trigger the 25-year-old’s €60 million release clause.
Zubimendi is widely regarded as one of Europe’s premier midfield talents and is a key figure in the Spanish national team.
Boasting exceptional technical ability, composure on the ball, and tactical intelligence, it’s no wonder Arteta is such a fan of the Real Sociedad midfielder.
His versatility as both a defensive and deep-lying playmaker makes him a perfect fit for Arteta’s dynamic style of play.
Despite strong interest from Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, Arsenal have managed to position themselves as the frontrunners.
Man City had reportedly considered Zubimendi as a potential replacement for Rodri, who suffered a season-ending injury, while Liverpool had tried to sign the player during the last transfer window.
A Summer Arrival
Although Arsenal had hoped to bring Zubimendi to the Emirates in January, Real Sociedad have insisted on retaining the midfielder until the end of the season.
The La Liga side views Zubimendi as integral to their current campaign, forcing Arsenal to bide their time.
The acquisition aligns with Arsenal’s strategic planning for the next season, especially with the contracts of Jorginho and Thomas Partey set to expire.
As of yet, no final decisions have been made regarding potential contract extensions for either player.
Addressing Immediate Concerns
While Arsenal’s focus has been on securing Zubimendi, the club is also grappling with injuries to key forwards Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, which has seen their attacking quality dwindle.
The Gunners have managed just one goal from over 6.0 xG over their two games, which has seen them crash out of domestic cup competitions.
Arteta has expressed the need to bolster the squad in the January transfer window to address these goalscoring issues.
“We are actively looking in the market to improve the squad,” Arteta stated. “That’s been like that since day one.
“It would be naive not to do that. It’s an opportunity to improve the squad. We are looking. We are trying. Let’s see what we can do.”
