Arsenal ready to HIJACK €60m midfielder

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 14 Nov 2024 10:03 GMT
• 4 min read

Arsenal are monitoring Martin Zubimendi's situation, following Liveprool's extended interest during the summer window.

The Independent have reported that Mikel Arteta wants to add a No 6 to his team, even though they brought in Mikel Merino a few months back.

Indeed, Liverpool had failed to bring in Zubimendi after he refused a switch there. His value rose when he came on injured Rodri in Spain’s Euro 2024 final 2-1 win over England.

READ MORE: Who won Ballon d’Or 2024? Final ranking and past winners

It's thought that Reds boss Arne Slot specifically targeted the Spaniard but the club ultimately could not seal a deal. Slot has been able to transform Ryan Gravenberch into a defensive midfielder instead so it's probable that the Anfield club will not go back in for Zubimendi.

Current ETV

Martín Zubimendi

DM, M (C)

Real Sociedad

Martín Zubimendi

DM, M (C)

Real Sociedad

€32.4M

ETV Range

€24.3M - €40.5M

View full profile

Sociedad saw Robin Le Normand and the aforementioned Merino leave during the summer window, so they did their utmost to keep Zubimendi. For his part, the midfielder did not wish to give his current side more headache so did not push for a move away either.

FABRIZIO ROMANO TRANSFER LATEST: Gyokeres AGREEMENT, Amorim DECISION, Alexander-Arnold PLAN

Now a report has suggested that he would stay for another season but "on condition that he be allowed to leave for the right offer in the future."

Their report continued: "Arteta also wants to have a number of different options at six. The Arsenal manager wants to be able to pick from a pure passer, another who is physical and one who is press-resistant. With that, he would be able to reconfigure his midfield for any given game."

Zubimendi on staying with boyhood club

Zubimendi has a €60 million release clause in his contract but it's now believed that he could leave Spain for less.

In September, he was quizzed about his decision to turn down a move to Liverpool: "For me, Real Sociedad is my life, I think I've spent half my life there. A large percentage of who I am is part of Real Sociedad, it's my life." Now, he has shed some more light on his decision.

There were even reports that he "regretted" turning down a move to the Merseyside club, but the Euro 2024 star put paid to that suggestion. He said: “Of course I don’t regret it, I can’t think that way after four or five games at the start of the season. I made my decision from within, I thought it was the best thing to do, the results don’t affect me. I see potential in this team, you just have to watch us train. I’m excited about having a good season.

“In the end, like in every transfer window, things always come up. This summer it was my turn. These are things that happen and you have to deal with them in the best way possible.

“It is true that I was a bit uncomfortable with everything, especially the noise, but in the end, I isolated myself and made the decision that I thought was the right one.”