Arsenal Land Zubimendi in £60m Deal from Real Sociedad

Arsenal have secured the signing of Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in a deal worth close to £60 million, marking their second major addition of the summer transfer window.

The 26-year-old joins the North London club on a five-year contract, following the arrival of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5 million.

Zubimendi Excited by Arsenal Project

Having emerged from Sociedad’s academy and established himself with over 230 appearances for the La Liga side, Zubimendi expressed his excitement at joining Arsenal.

“This is a huge moment in my career,” he said. “As soon as I arrived, I could sense the magnitude of this club. Arsenal’s playing style suits me, and I believe the best is yet to come.”

Proven Quality at Club and International Level

Zubimendi arrives at the Emirates with a strong pedigree. He featured in Spain’s victorious Euro 2024 campaign, coming off the bench in the final to help secure a 1–0 win over England. The midfielder has earned 19 international caps, benefiting from Rodri’s injury-enforced absence to stake a regular place in the national team.

He also scored in the Nations League final against Portugal, though Spain eventually lost on penalties.

Arteta’s Midfield Vision

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise for his new signing, describing Zubimendi as a player with intelligence, composure, and a perfect fit for Arsenal’s midfield structure.

“Martin will bring top-level quality and tactical awareness to our squad. His consistency at club and international level is exactly what we need,” said Arteta.

Behind the Scenes: How Arsenal Sealed the Deal

The groundwork for the transfer was laid as far back as June last year, when Arsenal’s recruitment team, including then sporting director Edu and assistant Jason Ayto, travelled to Marbella for talks with Real Sociedad officials.

Initially targeting Mikel Merino, the Gunners also expressed interest in Zubimendi—with the intention of signing him in 2025 due to budget constraints.

Beating Liverpool to the Punch

Arsenal’s pursuit faced stiff competition from Liverpool, whose former sporting director Richard Hughes had opened discussions with Sociedad last summer. Although Zubimendi was intrigued by a move to Merseyside, he opted for caution amid a busy international schedule and kept Liverpool in the dark about his preference for Arsenal.

The appeal of playing under fellow Basque and ex-Sociedad midfielder Mikel Arteta, alongside familiar faces like Martin Ødegaard and the incoming Merino, proved decisive.

Paying Over the Release Clause—On Purpose

Although Zubimendi had a £51 million release clause, Arsenal preferred to pay a higher fee in instalments to avoid the Spanish regulation requiring lump-sum payment for release clauses.

This flexibility allowed the Gunners to beat other interested clubs while easing financial pressure. It’s a similar reason they’ve hesitated over Nico Williams, who has a £50 million clause at Athletic Bilbao.

Fear of Real Madrid’s Late Interference

One major concern for Arsenal was the potential intervention of Real Madrid, especially after speculation that Xabi Alonso, who coached Zubimendi at Sociedad B, would succeed Carlo Ancelotti. Given both Alonso and Zubimendi are represented by the same agency, Arsenal feared Madrid might hijack the deal.

Still, Zubimendi remained committed to his word.

Final Steps and Formalities

With Edu’s departure in November, the task of finalizing the transfer fell to Ayto and James King, Arsenal’s director of football operations. Despite swirling rumours in Spanish media suggesting Real Madrid interest, the transfer had been effectively agreed upon for over six months.

Zubimendi visited London Colney in late June to meet his new teammates and complete his media duties ahead of the announcement.

First Signing of Berta Era, But Edu’s Legacy

Although the official announcement falls under new sporting director Andrea Berta’s tenure, the deal was orchestrated by Edu and Ayto—who has since also left the club.

Zubimendi’s arrival not only strengthens Arsenal’s midfield but also underscores the long-term planning and strategic recruitment that has become a hallmark of Arteta’s reign.