Arsenal get confirmation of 'EXTREMELY LIKELY' transfer

Tom Weber

Updated: 22 Jan 2025 15:53 CST
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Arsenal are 'extremely likely' to sign Martin Zubimendi, with the deal already as good as done, according to a report.

The Gunners almost broke the transfer market last week when it was revealed that they had quietly managed to convince top midfielder target Martin Zubimendi to finally leave his boyhood club Real Sociedad.

Article continues under the video

Liverpool and Real Madrid had previously stumbled at this crucial hurdle, but Mikel Arteta, who also hails from San Sebastian, persuaded the 25-year-old Euro 2024 winner to take the next step in his career.

At the time, it was reported that the deal was already 'virtually completed,' although some later claimed that details on personal terms still had to be ironed out. However, as FootballTransfers revealed at the time, personal terms were no problem and had actually already been agreed.

The only reason why the deal hasn't been made official yet is because it is a transfer for the summer and because Arsenal have yet to formally trigger Zubimendi's €60 million release clause. They could also agree to pay slightly more to secure favourable payment terms rather than having to shell out one lump sum.

Zubimendi to Arsenal confirmed

Journalist James Benge has now confirmed that the deal is 'extremely likely' to happen and that it really is just a case of Arsenal deciding when to put the money on the table.

“Zubimendi is extremely likely," he said. "It's not done yet because, of course, they have to pay the release clause, but messages have come from Arteta and the Arsenal side for a very long time, convincing Zubimendi, who rejected the chance to go to Liverpool, and has rejected the chance to go elsewhere in the Premier League, when it's been put to him in the past that this is the time to move and this is the club to move to.

“So they have to go and pay the release clause and my expectation is that they will either do that or, actually more likely, will go a little bit over the release clause just to sweeten the payment terms.”