Zubimendi Touches Down in London for Arsenal Switch
Martin Zubimendi has landed in London to complete the final stages of his long-anticipated transfer from Real Sociedad to Arsenal, as per David Ornstein of The Athletic.
The Gunners have tracked the Spanish midfielder for several seasons, and now, their patience seems to have finally paid off.
Mikel Arteta, who has been a long-time admirer of Zubimendi, is understood to have played a central role in pushing this deal over the line.
Arsenal Beat Liverpool to His Signature
Following Arne Slot’s arrival at Liverpool, the Merseyside club made a strong push for Zubimendi and were briefly considered front-runners in the race.
However, Arsenal seems to have successfully fended off competition to secure the highly sought-after midfielder – the midfielder looks set to don the red and white of North London.
Real Madrid Admiration, But No Move
Reports in Spain suggested that Real Madrid were considering a late attempt to hijack the deal. While it’s true that some figures at the club — including incoming coach Xabi Alonso — admire Zubimendi, no formal approach was made.
Xabi Alonso, who previously coached Zubimendi during his time with the Real Sociedad B-team, is well aware of the midfielder’s technical quality and the midfielder once referred to the Real Madrid coach as his “idol.”
But according to the Daily Mail, Real Madrid chiefs made it clear to Alonso that their current midfield ranks are deep enough to meet the club’s needs and help the coach achieve his goals
🔗 Source – Daily Mail
Arsenal’s Quiet Confidence
Behind the scenes, Arsenal have long felt confident of sealing the deal. The main delay was due to Real Sociedad preferring to wrap up the transfer in July for financial accounting purposes.
Despite the wait, Arsenal remained assured that Zubimendi was heading to the Emirates since the news broke last season when Arsenal was still in the race to win some titles.
BBC: “One of the Best in the World”
BBC journalist Emlyn Begley has hailed Zubimendi as one of the most complete midfielders in Europe and a player Arsenal view as the long-term successor to Thomas Partey.
🔗 BBC Source
Zubimendi’s blend of calm possession, acute passing, disciplined positioning, better dribbling skills, tactical intelligence, and defensive awareness makes him a perfect fit for Arteta’s system.
Transfer Fee and Statistics
Arsenal are reportedly paying Zubimendi’s release clause — a fee of €60 million (approximately £51.5 million).
In the 2023/24 season, he made 36 appearances for Real Sociedad in La Liga, showcasing consistency, durability, and the trust placed on him by the club.
Smooth Dealings Between Arsenal and Real Sociedad
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the positive relationship between Arsenal and Real Sociedad helped expedite the transfer.
The two clubs recently concluded another major deal — Mikel Merino’s switch to Arsenal last summer — setting the stage for Zubimendi’s move to proceed smoothly.
Partey Exit Clears the Path
Thomas Partey’s future at Arsenal looks all but over after contract talks with the Ghanaian international stalled. Zubimendi is being lined up as his direct replacement in Arsenal’s engine room.
🔗 Related: Thomas Partey’s Arsenal Exit Looms
With Partey’s departure expected to be finalized soon, Zubimendi will walk into a key role in Arsenal’s midfield setup.
Fans are anxiously waiting to see how Martin Zubimendi links with Declan Rice and the freedom he affords the England international to create chances and cover ground ‘like a horse.’
Final Thoughts
Martin Zubimendi’s arrival marks a major statement of intent from Arsenal. In securing one of Europe’s most technically gifted midfielders — and beating rivals to his signature — the Gunners have laid down yet another marker that they’re building for sustained success.
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