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Arsenal are poised to finally complete a long-awaited transfer deal
Arsenal’s completed transfer business thus far has focused on the players leaving the club but the incoming business is expected to ramp up in the coming weeks.
Jorginho and Kieran Tierney have departed on free transfers to Flamengo and Celtic, respectively while Nuno Taveres and Marquinhos have left for undisclosed fees to Lazio and Cruzeiro. Thomas Partey also appears bound for the exit door with his contract officially up and no fresh agreement reached.
A striker and another forward remain key pieces of business for Arsenal with several targets in mind but no agreement on either of those fronts is close as things stand.
Martin Zubimendi to join Arsenal imminently
Another deal that has long been reported as agreed is Arsenal’s move for Martin Zubimendi. Interest from Real Madrid has set some supporters at unease, however, The Athletic has reported that “Martin Zubimendi will become an Arsenal player imminently.”
The update will provide a sense of relief to finally see the deal confirmed.
The reason behind the delay in confirming the move - which is slightly more than the £51m release clause in the Spaniard’s contract - is because Real Sociedad wanted the transfer to be included in their 2025-26 accounts.
Given the player has a release clause, Arsenal have been free to sign him for the agreed price since June but the Gunners have honoured the special request from Sociedad with a confirmation expected soon now we have entered July.
Zubimendi will still join in time to join up with Mikel Arteta’s squad for pre-season as the Gunners eye some silverware in the 2025-26 campaign.
Martin Zubimendi hailed by former coach
Spain boss Luis de la Fuente had dubbed Zubimendi as the second best defensive midfielder in the world, behind Manchester City’s Rodri, back in October.
Speaking to Sky Sports, former Real Sociedad coach Aitor Zulaika said of Zubimendi: "The first thing to say about Martin is that he is a complete person as well as being a complete player.
"He has four characteristics which are not easy to bring together. He is a very humble and simple person, but he is also very proud and has a really strong personality. You don't often find players with all those qualities together. Martin is one.
"He was a very disciplined guy who was very serious about his work. He was smart, he listened to his coaches, and he was polite and respectful with everybody."
One of his former teammates in the Sociedad academy set-up, Benoit Cachenaut, also lavished him with praise. He added: "He was always a very complete player. Technical, quick, intelligent, potent.
"You could already see he had everything to get to the highest level. But as well as being very good on the pitch, he was a very humble guy, always smiling, always very friendly."
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