Arsenal are pursuing a deal to sign midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad next summer.
The move for the 25-year-old has been worked on for a considerable time and if an agreement is reached will come a year after Liverpool failed in their own bid to sign the Spain international.
Mikel Arteta is the key driver behind a pursuit that was reinvigorated in the process of negotiating with their La Liga counterparts for the signing of Mikel Merino in August.
Merino, Zubimendi’s international team-mate, went on to join in a deal worth €33.5million (£28.4m) alongside €5m in variables.
Liverpool were interested in signing Zubimendi last summer, with Real Sociedad anticipating he would join the Merseyside club.
Liverpool believed the player was initially open to the move, but Zubimendi ultimately decided against a transfer to Anfield.
Arsenal’s interest comes with central midfielders Thomas Partey and Jorginho both having contracts which expire at the end of the season.
Zubimendi, a product of Real Sociedad’s academy, has made 210 appearances for his boyhood club since his debut in 2019.
This season he has made 22 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal.
He has 15 caps for Spain, including four during the European Championship-winning campaign last summer.
Why now for Arsenal?
By James McNicholas
Zubimendi has been a long-term target for Arsenal. With Thomas Partey and Jorginho both out of contract at the end of the season, they have known for some time they would need to rejuvenate their midfield.
Landing Zubimendi would be a significant coup for Arsenal — especially as he was so coveted by their title rivals Liverpool in the summer of 2024. His arrival would see him link up with former Sociedad team-mates Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard.
The signing could have interesting ramifications for Declan Rice. Signed with a view to playing as a number six, he has played much of his football for Arsenal as box-to-box number eight. The arrival of Zubimendi could cement his position in a more advanced role.
The player’s €60million (£51.7m; $63.4m) release clause grants him a fair price — but as it will be required to be paid upfront, it will take a significant chunk out of Arsenal’s summer budget.
Zubimendi won Euro 2024 with Spain (Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Who is Zubimendi?
Analysis by Thom Harris
A player born and raised in a city captivated by the football of Xabi Alonso, coached by the man himself, playing where he once played — Zubimendi couldn’t be better placed to become the sport’s next great pivote.
For all the romanticism of his footballing upbringing — his destiny at the peak of the game — Zubimendi remains as grounded and as pragmatic as they come.
With more touches, passes and carries than any other team-mate, he inspired his boyhood club to Champions League qualification in 2022-23 (they reached the round of 16 last term) anchoring a technically gifted Real Sociedad midfield with intuitive defensive positioning and expansive passing from deep.
Generally, Real Sociedad like to start play from the back and they are not averse to playing short, risky passes around their own penalty area to lure the opposition in. Zubimendi is often the receiver, picking up the ball under pressure and facing his own goal.
It’s a role that requires not only immaculate technique, but quick and nerveless decision-making, ensuring the right pass — at the right speed, angle, and elevation — is played to allow his team-mates to progress the ball. It also needs confidence, but not too much, to occasionally look to sidestep the pressure himself.
Put simply, Zubimendi is the cog between the defence and the midfield – the spare man Real Sociedad need to win these mini-battles and move into the space that has been created by their brave, press-baiting build-up.
GO DEEPER
Martin Zubimendi is the Gen-Z Sergio Busquets at the heart of Real Sociedad’s midfield
(Top photo: Angel Martinez – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
