Man Utd and Arsenal dealt blow as Spain midfielder plays down transfer talk

Tom Hancock

Updated: 11 May 2023 10:39 BST
3 min read

Erik ten Hag and Mikel Arteta in front of the Manchester United and Arsenal badges — © ProShots

Manchester United and Arsenal might just have been dealt a transfer blow, after Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi appeared to temper rumours of a summer exit.

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Both Premier League clubs have been linked with the 24-year-old – who, while rated at €44.7m by our in-house Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) model, is said to have a €60m release clause.

But Zubimendi – a product of Real Sociedad’s youth system – hasn’t taken to kindly to speculation surrounding his future.

Speaking to MARCA, Zubimendi seemed to pledge his future to Sociedad – where he signed a contract extension in October to keep him at the club until the end of the 2026/27 season. He said:

“I have never said that I want to leave Real [Sociedad] – and I do nothing but watch news about it [speculation over my future]. It makes me feel uncomfortable.

“The best thing I can do is stay here. I haven’t even considered leaving. I’m at home, and happy to continue growing here at the club.

“It’s very nice to be at home and be able to compete at the highest level. And it’s very nice to renew [your contract] and see your team-mates also renew because they believe in this project.”

© ProShots - Zubimendi has made 138 appearances for Real Sociedad

Champions League bound

Currently sitting fourth in LaLiga with a seven-point cushion on fifth-placed Villarreal, Real Sociedad are well on course to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2013/14.

Zubimendi has started 30 out of 33 league games for Imanol Alguacil’s side this term, moving past 100 career appearances in the Spanish top flight.

Having represented Spain at various age-group levels, he won his sole senior international cap so far in a 2021 friendly against Lithuania.