Real Madrid in ‘decisive meeting’ to take €60m star from Arsenal

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 31 Mar 2025 06:33 CDT
• 3 min read

News

Real Madrid are threatening to ruin the summer of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with a €60 million transfer bid.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are making a desperate last-gasp effort to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, according to a report from Spain.

Current ETV

Martín Zubimendi

DM, M (C)

Real Sociedad

Martín Zubimendi

DM, M (C)

Real Sociedad

€55M

ETV Range

€49.5M - €60.5M

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Zubimendi, however, is in the closing stages of agreeing a €60 million switch to Arsenal, which FootballTransfers exclusively revealed and has since been backed up by David Ornstein.

Los Blancos are attempting to foil the plans of Arsenal and Arteta, who has been a long-term admirer of the 26-year-old.

Zubimendi has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €55m, which is in line with his transfer fee, and a contract that runs until 2027. He will not, however, see out his deal at La Real, where he has spent the duration of his professional career.

Martin Zubimendi: Real Madrid’s ‘golden opportunity’ revealed

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The Copa del Rey semi-final between Los Blancos and Real Sociedad is said to be a “golden opportunity” for the Bernabeu club to secure an improbable U-turn, according to Defensa Central.

It is claimed the Real Madrid president Florentino Perez wants to know if the €60m release clause is negotiable and if it can be paid in instalments. Los Merengues will also enquire about the possibility of adding a player to lower the price.

Arsenal are believed to be willing to match Real Sociedad’s figure, putting the Emirates club firmly in command of this situation.

Zubimendi may be a one-club man so far in his career, but it has not been short of transfer drama in the past. Just last year, he turned down Liverpool to continue at Real Sociedad.

Arsenal look unlikely to receive such a cold shoulder from the Spain star, who is finally ready to leave his boyhood club.