Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal: Fabrizio Romano reveals state of play

Carlo Garganese

Updated: 15 Jan 2025 05:39 CST
4 min read

Martin Zubimendi, Arsenal, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Martin Zubimendi as he reveals the state of play of the Real Sociedad midfielder’s move to the Emirates.

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According to a report in the Daily Mail on Tuesday, Arsenal are on the verge of completing a deal for Zubimendi that will see him link up with Mikel Arteta's side in the summer.

It is claimed that sources close to the negotiation believe that a deal is 'virtually completed.' Naturally, Arsenal want the 25-year-old to join immediately, but Real Sociedad are insisting that he remains with them until the end of the season.

Jorginho and Thomas Partey are out of contract in the summer, which has increased Arsenal's desire to add a holding midfielder.

The report says that Arsenal will formally trigger Zubimendi's €60 million release clause to bring him to the Emirates after a saga that has stretched for over 12 months.

Romano has now confirmed the report and says talks to sign Zubimendi are going well.

What did Romano say?

“The negotiations between Arsenal and Zubimendi are going well, proceeding and advancing, considered at good stages by club sources,” Romano said on Give Me Sport.

“There are still things to do before calling this deal done or completed, crucial details being discussed between the club and on the player side in order to proceed with formal steps.

“It’s correct to say that Arsenal are on it, working hard and considered frontrunners; but in order to get to a full agreement and sign all the documents, there’s still some work to do.

“Mikel Arteta is heavily involved in the process to guarantee about the project and to show Zubimendi how he would be a key part of their plan for the present and future. Arteta and Zubimendi were born in the same city and their connection would be a crucial part of the story.

“Arsenal are on it and they’ve entered the race very strongly for the summer. Why not for January? Real Sociedad absolutely want to keep the "world-class" Zubimendi until June, and the Spaniard would not betray his beloved club in the middle of a complicated season, so the plan of both player and club side is to continue together until the summer transfer window.

“Arsenal really pushing and insisting on the player side.There’s no need to negotiate with Real Sociedad as Arsenal would activate the €60m release clause in the summer. They’re prepared to make a big investment on Zubimendi in terms of transfer fee to complete a fantastic midfield alongside Odegaard and Declan Rice, while also considering the age and the contract situation of both Thomas Partey and Jorginho, who has received a formal approach from Flamengo this week.

“Arsenal will need at least one addition in midfield in 2025 and Zubimendi is their top target.”

The Real Sociedad midfielder has been a big target of the Premier League last year and he was close to joining Liverpool last summer.

Earlier in the year, Arsenal had also attempted to persuade the Basque star, but despite broadly agreeing on contract terms, he ultimately decided to break off all communication with the Gunners, leaving them frustrated and unwilling to make fresh contact when the summer window opened.

Arsenal instead signed his Spain international team-mate Mikel Merino, but are now set to bring in Zubimendi this coming summer.