Arsenal have finally agreed a deal to land long-term target Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, according to a report.
Mail Sport revealed in January that the defensive midfielder has been courted by Mikel Arteta for over a year, with the deal having been effectively sealed since the winter transfer window.
Although Arsenal wanted their man to join at the start of the year, Sociedad insisted Zubimendi stayed until the end of the season.
He chose to stay in Spain last summer despite varying degrees of interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, though it is understood the Gunners didn’t make a formal offer for the player in 2024.
But now, Zubimendi has verbally agreed to sign a long term deal in north London, as per Fabrizio Romano.
The final steps required to bring him to the Emirates are seen as formalities, with Arsenal ready to trigger the Spaniard’s £51million release clause.
Arsenal have reportedly agreed a verbal deal to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad
The Gunners plan to trigger Zubimendi’s £51m release clause and sign him to a long-term deal
The defensive midfielder will be the first signing made by new sporting director Andrea Berta
Zubimendi will become the first signing made by new sporting director Andrea Berta, who joined the club from Atletico Madrid in March, following the sacking of Edu and Jason Ayto’s short interim stint.
Despite many fans crying out for Arsenal to sign a forward this summer, the club have prioritised Zubimendi as their primary target.
Arsenal’s need for a new central midfielder ahead of next season has been heightened with Jorginho and Thomas Partey both out of contract in the summer.
Zubimendi, 26, is viewed as one of the leading midfield talents in European football and is a key player for Spain, having been part of his nation’s triumphant Euro 2024 campaign.
A deciding factor in his move was his desire to play Champions League football; Sociedad sit in 11th place in La Liga and look set to miss out on any European football next season.
Meanwhile, Arsenal just exited Europe’s elite club competition in the semi-finals after losing to PSG this week, and look poised to compete in it again next season.
