Arsenal have officially secured the signing of Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in a deal valued close to £60 million. The 26-year-old becomes Mikel Arteta’s second signing of the summer, following the earlier arrival of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5 million.
The Gunners are also actively pursuing Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyökeres, with talks ongoing over a potential £70 million deal.
Zubimendi, who rose through the youth system at Real Sociedad, developed into one of La Liga’s most consistent midfielders. Over the course of his career with the Spanish side, he made 236 appearances, scoring 10 goals, and now joins Arsenal on a five-year contract.
“This is a massive step in my career,” said Zubimendi after completing the move. “Joining Arsenal was always the move I wanted. From the moment I arrived, it was clear how big this club is and how ambitious the project is. The style of play fits me perfectly — I’m here to help the team reach new heights.”
Zubimendi was instrumental for Spain during their victorious Euro 2024 campaign, including a key second-half appearance in the final against England. He now joins a midfield already strengthened by Arsenal’s intent to dominate domestically and in Europe next season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his excitement over the new signing:
“Martin brings top-level quality and exceptional intelligence to our midfield. He’s consistent, calm under pressure, and has all the attributes we look for. We believe he’ll be a key figure for us moving forward.”
Arsenal Also Agree Deal for Brentford Midfielder Christian Nørgaard
In addition to Zubimendi, Arsenal have also agreed a £10 million deal to bring Christian Nørgaard from Brentford. While more details are expected soon, the Danish midfielder is seen as a cost-effective addition to reinforce the Gunners’ engine room — potentially replacing Thomas Partey, whose contract expired early this month.
Inside the Zubimendi Deal: Months of Planning, A Strategic Approach
Arsenal's pursuit of Zubimendi dates back over a year. The groundwork was laid last summer during a behind-closed-doors meeting in Marbella between Arsenal officials and Real Sociedad executives.
Arsenal’s recruitment team, led by former sporting director Edu and assistant Jason Ayto, initially flew to Spain to discuss a deal for Mikel Merino — but Zubimendi quickly became a priority.
Though Liverpool were strongly in contention to sign Zubimendi last summer, the player opted to delay his move, wanting more time to consider his options amid a packed international schedule. Ultimately, the opportunity to work with fellow San Sebastián native Mikel Arteta, and reunite with former teammates Martin Ødegaard and Merino, was too compelling to pass up.
To smooth the process, Arsenal chose not to activate Zubimendi’s £51m release clause — which would have required a lump-sum payment. Instead, they negotiated a structured deal that allowed payments to be spread over time, raising the total fee slightly above the clause.
This financial strategy reflects Arsenal’s growing reputation for smart, sustainable transfers — avoiding large upfront commitments while securing top-tier talent.
