Arsenal expected to beat Real Madrid to Euro 2024 hero

Carlo Garganese
Carlo Garganese
  • Updated: 23 Mar 2025 05:56 CDT
  • 3 min read
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal
© IMAGO

Arsenal are expected to win the race to sign Euro 2024 hero Martin Zubimendi, despite Real Madrid’s attempts to hijack the deal.

Article continues under the video

FootballTransfers reported last month that Arsenal are closing in on the summer signing of Zubimendi.

READ MORE: Arsenal's Basque Revolution: Arteta is shaping the Gunners in his image

We learned that Arsenal’s pursuit of Zubimendi is gathering pace, with the Real Sociedad midfielder’s representatives flying to London for further discussions with club officials.

But in recent days it has been reported that Real Madrid have been pushing hard themselves to try and convince Zubimendi to join them.

Madrid are looking to bring in a top central midfielder this summer due to the age of Luka Modric and the uncertainty over the future of other players.

READ MORE: Latest Arsenal transfer news

Arsenal still expected to sign Zubimendi

But the feeling in the Spanish and English media is that Arsenal are still expected to sign Zubimendi this summer.

David Ornstein recently stated that Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Zubimendi, and this is a sentiment shared in Spain.

It is understood that Arsenal are prepared to double Zubimendi’s wages and have reached an agreement on a four-year contract.

Arsenal confident of signing Zubimendi
© IMAGO - Arsenal confident of signing Zubimendi

Zubimendi was close to signing for Liverpool last summer and the Reds remain admirers of the Basque star.

Zubimendi at Euro 2024

Zubimendi enjoyed a fantastic Euro 2024 as Spain won the title and he was deemed by many to have been the key man in the 2-1 final win over England.

The midfielder came on at half time for Rodri with the score at 0-0 and immediately changed the game.

Zubimendi has spent his whole career at Real Sociedad, making 226 appearances and scoring 10 goals. He won the Copa del Rey in 2020.

Previously he played for Real Sociedad’s B team, making 50 appearances and scoring four goals.

He has been capped 16 times by Spain, winning Euro 2024 and the Nations League last year. He has scored one goal.