Arsenal or Liverpool - Which club should Martin Zubimendi join?

Cameron Smith

• 9 Feb 2024 09:43 GMT
• 4 min read

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is currently one of Europe’s most wanted players and he is set to be involved in a major transfer saga this summer.

The 25-year-old has been one of La Liga’s outstanding performers over the past few years and despite Sociedad’s form under Imanol Alguacil, he has been tipped to leave the club at the end of the 2023-24 season.

Arsenal are long-term admirers of Zubimendi and are preparing to launch a summer bid as they search for a Thomas Partey replacement amid links of a Gunners exit.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed that Bayern Munich and Barcelona are also interested in signing the Spanish midfielder, although it remains to be seen if they will be able to match Arsenal’s financial power.

Manchester United have also been linked with a move previously.

Furthermore, FootballTransfers, in conjunction with AnfieldWatch, have exclusively revealed that Liverpool have now joined the race to sign Zubimendi ahead of this summer’s transfer window.

Sources have told us the Reds are willing to meet Zubimendi’s €60 million release clause as they seek more midfield reinforcements despite last year’s investment.

With four of the biggest clubs in world football chasing Zubimendi’s signature, which club would suit him best?

Who should Martin Zubimendi sign for?

According to data analytics experts SciSports, Zubimendi should favour a move to a team who are extremely unlikely to sign him - Juventus.

The Italian giants rank as his best transfer option, as per SciSports’ Career Advice tool, and given Adrien Rabiot is set to become a free agent this summer, Zubimendi could be a smart replacement.

Although Juve top the list, staying at Real Sociedad would be Zubimendis’ second-best choice, according to SciSports. The Spanish side evidently suit his style of play and their progression into the Champions League knockout stages this season proves they are a force to be reckoned with on the European stage.

However, Thomas Tuchel has identified Zubimendi as a key transfer target for 2024 and a move to Bayern Munich would be a better choice than joining Liverpool or Arsenal, SciSports believe.

The Bavarians are crying out for a new midfielder to partner Joshua Kimmich, and Zubimendi represents a brilliant option to fill the glaring hole in Bayern’s starting XI. With Kimmich possibly leaving too, bringing in Zubimendi would be a very sensible piece of business for the German side.

As for Liverpool and Arsenal, neither club currently suits Zubimendi particularly well, according to SciSports.

Their algorithm ranks Liverpool as his 21st best destination and Arsenal as his 37th.

Jurgen Klopp’s side haven’t signed an out-and-out Fabinho replacement since his departure last summer, but Alexis Mac Allister has filled in well and Wataru Endo began to stamp his authority at Anfield before jetting off to the Asian Cup.

As for Arsenal, although unlocking Declan Rice into a more advanced role seems like a smart idea on paper, doing so would limit the involvement of Kai Havertz, Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Viera, all of whom would drop down the pecking order.

Therefore, signing Zubimendi as a number six would be great for squad depth, but he may not be a guaranteed starter at the Emirates Stadium, something the Spaniard deserves if he leaves Real Sociedad.