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Arsenal supporters are awaiting more information regarding their potential first signing of the summer transfer window, with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi set to join the club.
The Gunners seemingly laid the groundwork when negotiating a deal for Mikel Merino last summer, as David Ornstein revealed the club's desire to sign Merino’s former teammate at the end of the 2024–25 season. An agreement was reached with Sociedad in May.
The midfielder has long stayed loyal to his boyhood club, previously rebuffing Liverpool, but Mikel Arteta's sweet nothings proved to be irresistible. With Jorginho leaving the club and Thomas Partey's future uncertain, Arsenal desperately need to bolster their midfield engine room.
Zubimendi's seen as a younger and potentially more talented operator than the departing Jorginho, with the Spaniard poised to settle in immediately as Arteta's new holding midfielder even if Partey remains in north London.
Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal transfer update
The summer transfer window is officially open and some supporters might be wondering why Zubimendi hasn't already committed to a cringey social media post confirming his arrival.
There have been murmurs of Real Madrid potentially hijacking the deal, but don't fear, Gooners, Zubimendi will soon be confirmed as the club's first signing of the window.
In his latest mailbag for The Athletic, James McNicholas responded to questions regarding the Zubimendi deal, confirming it to be in its "final stages." The midfielder merely needs to undergo a medical and sort out a work permit before he's unveiled by the Gunners.
"There is arguably no great rush: Arsenal are very confident they will get their man. I fully expect Zubimendi to be Arsenal’s first signing of the summer," McNicholas said, reassuringly.
The Gunners were willing to trigger the Spanish international's €60m release clause to bring him to the Emirates at the start of a crucial window for the club. Indifferent work on the recruitment front in 2024–25 saw Arteta's project stagnate, and, as we enter the Spaniard's sixth full season at the helm, there's pressure on him to deliver.
While many are focussing on what the club do in attack, with several strikers and wide players linked, Zubimendi is a necessary addition in the middle of the park. He's a subtle midfield performer who's mightily intelligent, and there's hope he'll provide greater speed and precision to Arsenal's build-up play.
Whether he's a needle mover is another debate, but there's no denying that the man who replaced Rodri for the second-half of the Euro 2024 final and performed like it was Matchday 17 in La Liga away at Rayo Vallecano is a very good footballer.