Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi in the summer, Sky Sports News understands.
Zubimendi has a release clause believed to be £51m and Arsenal are already planning for the summer with Thomas Partey and Jorginho entering the final six months of their contracts.
It is thought Arsenal wanted to do a deal in this window but it appears a compromise has been struck for Zubimendi to stay at Sociedad for the rest of the season.
He is under contract until the summer of 2027.
Liverpool agreed a deal to sign Zubimendi last summer – only for the player to change his mind and stay in Spain.
Analysis: Arsenal getting their own Rodri
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:
The timing of Arsenal’s imminent move for Zubimendi is very interesting. Most of the Gunners fanbase are shouting for a new forward but, instead, it is a defensive midfield arrival later this year that emerges from the north London club.
Looking at the smaller and wider context of this pursuit, Arsenal moving for Zubimendi is no surprise.
On the smaller context, the Spaniard is one of the most sought-after defensive midfielders in Europe – best displayed by Liverpool’s public interest in him last summer.
Speaking earlier this summer, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot addressed Martin Zubimendi rejecting a move to Anfield.
“It’s not so easy to find players who can help us or even strengthen the squad. Zubimendi was one of them, to be fair, but he decided not to come,” said Liverpool boss Arne Slot in August. The notion that Liverpool saw the 25-year-old as an improvement to their already excellent squad speaks volumes.
The signs were also there earlier last summer. Zubimendi’s second-half display in the Euro 2024 final against England – in which Spain actually improved after losing the future Ballon D’Or winner Rodri to injury at half-time – rubberstamps his elite-level status.
Zubimendi was a star performer in the Euro 2024 final win over England
There is a wider context to the Zubimendi pursuit and perhaps Arsenal have been planning for this move for some time. In the 2019-20 season, Zubimendi was part of a Sociedad team that also had current Gunners players Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino in the midfield.
It is also worth noting that the starting striker in La Real’s team that season was current Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, whom the Gunners have been linked with.
Zubimendi (right) with Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino for Real Sociedad
Arsenal are, ultimately, trying to get their own Rodri. With doubts over Declan Rice’s best midfield position at No 6 or No 8 – plus uncertainty over the contracts of ageing midfielders Jorginho and Thomas Partey – it is an area Arsenal need to strengthen.
Zubimendi seems like the perfect arrival given his background. He was shaped by Basque Country amateur youth club Antiguoko – who also marked the start of Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso’s careers.
Zubimendi played under Alonso in the Real Sociedad B team, and is now about to work with another Antiguoko alumni in Arteta.
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