Arsenal have officially completed the signing of Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi for a fee of just over €60 million.
The midfielder has penned a five-year contract with Mikel Arteta side, keeping him at the Emirates Stadium until 2030, and he will link up with international team-mates David Raya and Mikel Merino in north London.
However, Real Madrid attempted to hijack the transfer, amid their pursuit of a new central midfielder, while Real Sociedad hinted that Zubimendi could be set to extend his stay at the club.
But, Arsenal have now formally announced the arrival of the 26-year-old.
Zubimendi has left Real Sociedad having racked up 236 first-team appearances for his boyhood club. He made his senior debut for the Basque outfit against Getafe back in 2019 and he has amassed 19 caps for the Spain national team.
Martin Zubimendi completes move to Arsenal
Despite the fact that Zubimendi’s contract at Real Sociedad included a release clause worth €60m, Arsenal agreed to pay a slightly higher figure in order to split the transfer fee into several different installments.
Zubimendi’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium comes following Jorginho’s move to Flamengo on a free transfer. The Spain international will replace Thomas Partey in Arteta’s preferred starting XI, with the 32-year-old having left at the end of last month when his contract expired.
Zubimendi, who featured against England in the 2024 European Championship final last summer, could make his competitive debut for Arsenal during their opening fixture of the new Premier League season versus Manchester United on 17 August.
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