Martin Zubimendi is in London to meet Arsenal officials and complete the formalities of his transfer from Real Sociedad to the north London club.
Arsenal have been working for a considerable time on a deal for the Spain international, who has a €60million (£51.7m; $63.4m) release clause in his contract with Sociedad.
The Premier League club’s pursuit of Zubimendi has been driven by head coach Mikel Arteta and was reinvigorated when the clubs were in talks over a deal for Mikel Merino to move to the Emirates Stadium last summer.
As reported by The Athletic earlier this month, Real Madrid admired Zubimendi but decided not to pursue a move for the player this summer, while Arsenal have regarded the deal as done, despite noise around a potential move to Xabi Alonso’s side.
In January, The Athletic reported Arsenal’s plans for a summer bid for Zubimendi, who Liverpool had attempted to sign last summer, only for the Spaniard to remain in San Sebastian for the remainder of the campaign.
Arteta’s side, who reached the Champions League semi-finals this season and finished second in the Premier League, have struggled with injuries, particularly up front, and so an attacking signing in the summer is a priority.
However, signing a midfielder such as Zubimendi is also important due to the departure of Jorginho to Flamengo and Thomas Partey’s expiring contract. Talks have been held over a new deal for Partey.
Zubimendi scored two goals and provided two assists in 36 La Liga appearances for Real Sociedad this season as they finished 11th.
What will Arsenal be getting from Zubimendi?
Analysis by Thom Harris
A player born and raised in a city captivated by the football of Xabi Alonso, coached by the man himself, playing where he once played — Zubimendi couldn’t be better placed to become the sport’s next great pivot.
For all the romanticism of his footballing upbringing — his destiny at the peak of the game — Zubimendi remains as grounded and as pragmatic as they come.
With more touches, passes and carries than any other team-mate, he inspired his boyhood club to Champions League qualification in 2022-23 (they reached the round of 16 last term) anchoring a technically gifted Real Sociedad midfield with intuitive defensive positioning and expansive passing from deep.
Generally, Real Sociedad like to start play from the back and they are not averse to playing short, risky passes around their own penalty area to lure the opposition in. Zubimendi is often the receiver, picking up the ball under pressure and facing his own goal.
It’s a role that requires not only immaculate technique, but quick and nerveless decision-making, ensuring the right pass — at the right speed, angle, and elevation — is played to allow his team-mates to progress the ball. It also needs confidence, but not too much, to occasionally look to sidestep the pressure himself.
Zubimendi is the cog between the defence and the midfield – the spare man Real Sociedad need to win these mini-battles and move into the space that has been created by their brave, press-baiting build-up.
(Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
