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La Liga Standout Nears Arsenal Transfer

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ryan White | Last updated May 29, 2025 9:38 AM ET

Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is set for a move to Arsenal and will become official in the coming days, with both sides agreeing to a €60m transfer fee.

All that is left for the Spain international is to complete his medical along with final signatures and he will be a Gunner starting this Summer. Zubimendi rejected an opportunity to join Arne Slot’s Liverpool squad a year ago, but is excited for a move to north London.

There have been rumours suggesting Real Madrid and Liverpool were in the running this time around, however transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that it is essentially a done deal.

⚪️ Arsenal plans for midfield are confirmed after Jorginho’s exit: Martin Zubimendi will formally complete his €60m move soon with medical/signature, here we go confirmed.

Negotiations also underway for Thomas Partey’s new deal. pic.twitter.com/49FQ6LzZT4
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 28, 2025

It’s a move that was months in the making, as manager Mikel Arteta is heavily interested in Zubimendi. He’s a product of Real Sociedad’s youth academy, making his senior debut with Real Sociedad C in 2016 as a 20 year old and has made over 250 appearances as a professional.

On the pitch he plays as an excellent defensive midfielder, bringing elite long range passing, a high IQ, and the ability to control the pace of play. Jorginho’s exit after two seasons with Arsenal called for a new holding midfielder and they might have got the best one available.

Declan Rice's explosive box-to-box intensity and Thomas Partey's toughness are complemented by Zubimendi's calm, deep-lying style of play, creating a well-rounded Arsenal midfield trio for the present and future.

Arsenal have become a regular to European competition and Zubimendi fits that mold, having reached the knockout rounds of the Champions League or Europa League in each of his last five seasons with Real Sociedad.

With his medical evaluation imminent, Arsenal is on the verge of adding a crucial piece to a squad that has placed top two in the final Premier League standings three straight seasons. Could this be the signing that brings Arteta’s project to the next level?

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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