Arsenal close to signing Zubimendi

Arsenal are close to completing the signing of Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad – according to reports.

The 26-year-old was said to be wanted by Real Madrid, and was pursued by new Premier League champions Liverpool last summer but now looks to be heading to Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.

The deep-lying midfielder reportedly has a £51m release clause and the two clubs have agreed a payment structure.

A medical needs to take place before the deal can be finalised.

🇪🇸 Martín Zubimendi’s statistically calculated WhoScored characteristics:

✅ Strengths

🟢 Aerial duels
🟢 Concentration
🟢 Ball interception
🟢 Blocking the ball

❌ Weaknesses

𝑷𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒔𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 pic.twitter.com/0XYSVc4xi4

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 28, 2025

Zubimendi’s arrival will free up Declan Rice to play in a more forward-looking role, as he has done to great effect this season, and he will join his former Sociedad team-mate Mikel Merino in north London.

Arsenal are also said to be looking at extending the contracts of several key players this summer, with Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Gabriel at the head of the queue.

Arteta’s side have finished as runners up in the Premier League in each of the last three seasons.

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