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Arsenal are set to sign Martin Zubimendi in the summer transfer window, according to a report by Sami Mokbel and Ben Willocks for MailSport.
The Gunners have a long-standing interest in the Real Sociedad midfielder and are said to be formalising an agreement as they prepare to activate his €60m (£51m) release clause. That fee will have to be paid upfront because of La Liga rules.
With Manchester City and Liverpool both previously showing interest in Zubimendi, the latter coming close to signing him last summer, the signing will be an impressive one for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta is understood to have played a key role in convincing the midfielder to leave his boyhood club.
Arsenal set to sign Martin Zubimendi in summer
MailSport's report claims that talks regarding a summer move for Zubimendi have now reached an advanced stage with some indications the deal is virtually complete. Arsenal are said to have wanted to sign the midfielder immediately but Real Sociedad insisted on him staying until the end of the campaign.
The Athletic's transfer guru David Ornstein added to the claims, reporting that the Gunners have worked on the move for a considerable time having reignited their interest while negotiating for fellow Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino last summer.
Talks on the player's side are underway with positive discussions taking place behind the scenes. Mikel Arteta is said to have played a major part in negotiations, acting as a crucial factor for the club to advance with a deal.
🔴⚪️🇪🇸 Mikel Arteta, crucial factor for Arsenal to advance on Martin Zubimendi deal.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 14, 2025
Arsenal manager part of the process for the club to get the green light from Zubi, same as happened with Declan Rice two years ago.
Zubimendi, in advanced talks with Arsenal for July 2025. pic.twitter.com/p97Frx33QB
It seems like Arsenal will have this deal wrapped up in time for the start of next season, and there shouldn't be any complaints. The club look set to lose both Jorginho and Thomas Partey upon the expiration of their respective contracts in the summer, and the signing of Zubimendi will be welcomed as a more than suitable replacement in the midfield department.
Of course, fans are still crying out for the club to sign a striker but with this being a deal for the summer, I imagine Arsenal still have the capability of bringing a goalscorer to the club this month. There's still a long way to go in the ongoing window and with rumours starting to emerge, supporters may just see their wishes granted.