Arsenal has signed midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in a £ 51 million deal.
The Spain International has signed a long-term contract in the Emirates Stadium after Arsenal corresponded to the transfer in March, after he had met his £ 51 million release clause.
It is understood that the prelace of the question proved important for Arsenal after Real Madrid had shown a strong interest last month in the 26-year-old after the arrival of Xabi Alonso as a manager.
Liverpool was also interested in Zubimendi last summer, but he refused a move to Anfield to stay in real sociedad.
Arsenal worked on the Zubimendi deal last summer and had identified him as their no 1 -purpose white when the club knew that midfielders Jorginho and Thomas Partey took care of the last year of their contracts, with both players then left this summer.
It is understood that the role that Arsenal -Baas Mikel Arteta played in convincing Zubimendi to wait another year and to become a member of Arsenal cannot be underestimated. The couple created a strong and direct connection, which was crucial to make him feel at ease when going outside Spain.
Zubimendi's former real Sociedad teammate Mikel Merino also played a role in his move to North London, after he joined the Gunners for £ 31.6 million in August 2024.
Arsenal approached the Laliga side about signing both players last summer, but Sociedad did not want to lose the midfield pair in the same window.
It is understood that Arsenal presented a solution with Merino -Toeding in 2024 and Zubimendi who participated in 2025.
Zubimendi will be the second signing of Arsenal this summer and joins the Fellow Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga in the club after his £ 5 million relocation of Chelsea.
Brentford captain Christian Norgaard could follow Zubimendi and Kepa through the Arsenal door after a £ 15 million deal had been agreed last month to sign the bee midfielder, while Chelsea expects an offer from the Gunners for Noni Madueke.
A complete no. 6? Why Arsenal wants Zubimendi
Nick Wright from Sky Sports:
Arsenal believes that they acquire one of the world's best midfielders in Martin Zubimendi and they are not the only ones. After also coveted by Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona, his elite references are clear.
Zubimendi won the European Championship with Spain last year and flourished both in its own country and international, so Boyhood Club would win Real Sociedad silverware in the Copa del Rey and played a key role in their return to the Champions League last year.
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