Arsenal Closing in on Martin Zubimendi

In an exciting development for Arsenal fans, the club is reportedly very close to securing the services of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. Zubimendi, a highly-rated midfielder, has been dubbed the next Sergio Busquets due to his impressive performances in La Liga. While the move is not expected to happen in the January transfer window, it is believed that Arsenal have reached a pre-agreement with the player for a summer move.

Arsenal’s Midfield Reinforcements

Arsenal made significant improvements to their midfield ahead of the 2023/24 season with the additions of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz. However, Mikel Arteta is keen to further strengthen the midfield and sees Zubimendi as a potential long-term solution. The Gunners’ midfield, which also includes talented players like Martin Odegaard, is highly-rated, but the need for more depth and stability remains.

Zubimendi: A Target Since Last Summer

Arsenal’s interest in Zubimendi dates back to last summer when they were first linked with the Spanish midfielder. However, Sociedad’s reluctance to sell meant that the move did not materialize. Despite this, Arsenal has maintained a good relationship with the club, evident from their loaning of Kieran Tierney to Sociedad in the summer.

The Release Clause and Arsenal’s Financial Limitations

Zubimendi has a release clause of €60 million at Real Sociedad, and Arsenal is reportedly willing to pay this fee over a long-term plan. However, the Gunners’ financial limitations have made the deal challenging. Having already invested heavily in new transfers last summer, Arsenal is cautious about adhering to profit and sustainability rules. The club is mindful of the need to balance its investments and ensure long-term financial stability.

Barcelona’s Interest Fades Away

Initially, Barcelona was also interested in signing Zubimendi, with their head coach Xavi seeing him as the long-term replacement for Sergio Busquets. However, recent reports suggest that Barcelona has moved on to other potential targets after balking at Zubimendi’s release clause. This has given Arsenal a clear path to secure the Spanish midfielder’s signature.

Zubimendi’s Stance and Future Plans

In March of last year, Zubimendi expressed his desire to stay at Real Sociedad, stating that leaving the club in the middle of their successful season would be illogical. However, recent reports indicate that the midfielder is now open to joining Arsenal. Spanish publication AS reports that Zubimendi is “very close” to agreeing on a pre-agreement with Arsenal for a summer move. This development suggests a change in Zubimendi’s stance and a potential exciting addition to Arsenal’s midfield.

Looking Ahead: Arsenal’s Transfer Strategy

Arsenal’s interest in Zubimendi reflects their long-term transfer strategy. With Mohamed Elneny’s contract set to expire, the Gunners are considering a move for a defensive midfielder to provide depth and stability in the squad. The addition of Zubimendi would not only strengthen Arsenal’s midfield options but also provide competition for Thomas Partey, who has struggled with injury setbacks.

While a January move for Zubimendi is highly unlikely, Arsenal’s pursuit of the talented midfielder indicates their ambition to strengthen the squad for the future. The pre-agreement with the player suggests that the deal is close to being finalized, with Zubimendi potentially joining Arsenal in the summer. If the move goes through, Arsenal will have secured a promising young talent who could be the next Sergio Busquets and add further quality to their midfield.