Arsenal have officially confirmed the signing of Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in a £51 million deal.
The 26-year-old has penned a five-year contract at the Emirates Stadium, becoming the club’s second major midfield signing within the last 12 months following the arrival of Mikel Merino in August 2024.
The Gunners secured Zubimendi’s signature by activating his £51 million release clause earlier this year, finalising a pre-agreement in March.
That forward planning proved crucial as strong interest from Real Madrid emerged last month following Xabi Alonso’s appointment as manager at the Bernabéu.
Liverpool were also reportedly keen to revisit their interest in the Spaniard, having failed to tempt him to Anfield last summer.
Zubimendi, who recently helped Spain win Euro 2024, has been a long-term target for Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta, who views the midfielder as a key component in reshaping his engine room.
Arsenal had initially approached Real Sociedad about signing both Zubimendi and Merino during the 2023 summer transfer window but were rebuffed, with the LaLiga side unwilling to lose both players in the same window. Now, just a year later, both midfielders are reunited in North London.
A Strategic Midfield Overhaul
The signing of Zubimendi is part of Arsenal’s broader midfield transition. With Jorginho and Thomas Partey both departing the club this summer after entering the final year of their contracts, the Gunners moved swiftly to reinforce their core with top-tier replacements.
Zubimendi, known for his tactical intelligence, press resistance, and distribution, is expected to slot into a pivotal role at the base of midfield.
A product of Real Sociedad’s youth academy, he made over 200 appearances for the Spanish club and was widely regarded as one of LaLiga’s most reliable holding midfielders.
Arsenal’s recruitment team had reportedly prioritised the Spaniard as their No. 1 midfield target for over a year, with Arteta personally involved in persuading the player to delay a move in favour of joining the Gunners this summer.
“Mikel Arteta played a massive role in this transfer. He remained in contact with Zubimendi’s camp throughout the season, ensuring the player understood his place in Arsenal’s long-term project.”
A source close to the deal
The influence of Mikel Merino, Zubimendi’s former Sociedad teammate and now Arsenal colleague, is also believed to have been significant.
Merino, who joined Arsenal in a £31.6 million move last August, has reportedly remained close friends with Zubimendi and played an instrumental part in convincing him to make the switch to the Premier League.
Boost to Arsenal’s Title Ambitions
With Zubimendi’s arrival, Arsenal now possess a balanced and dynamic midfield setup as they aim to push for major silverware in the 2025/26 season.
The Gunners finished runners-up in last season’s Premier League and reached the Champions League semi-finals, and the club believes this new-look midfield can help take them a step further.
Zubimendi will join up with the squad for their pre-season tour in the United States later this month, where he is expected to feature in friendlies against Inter Miami, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan.
The midfielder is tipped to become a central figure in Arteta’s setup as Arsenal continue their quest to return to the pinnacle of English football.
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