Martin Zubimendi has finally been confirmed as an Arsenal player.placeholder image
Martin Zubimendi has finally been confirmed as an Arsenal player. | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Real Madrid midfielder Martin Zubimendi has made the move to Arsenal for £51 million.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has spoken of his ‘pride’ in bringing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal with the highly anticipated transfer confirmed on Sunday.
The Spain international had been heavily linked with a move to work under Mikel Arteta in London but confirmation of the switch had taken time to come through. Arsenal agreed the transfer in March when they met the player’s £51 million release clause.
That early deal proved vital for Arsenal with Real Madrid attempting a hijack under new manager Xabi Alonso. Zubimendi was the number one target to add strength in midfield with Jorginho and Thomas Partey leaving at the end of their contracts this summer.
Arsenal confirm signing of Martin Zubimendi
Zubimendi makes the move out of Spain for the first time in his career and will join former Real Socieded midfielder Mikel Meino in north London. It is understood that Merino, who arrived at Arsenal for £31.6 million last summer, played a key role in convincing Zubmiendi to come to the Premier League.
It was, of course, new sporting director Berta who was in charge of brokering the deal. Reacting to the transfer in quotes shared by the official club website, Berta said: “We are so happy to bring Martin to Arsenal and have a lot of pride in finalising this transfer. Martin was a key target for us and we all know that he is a perfect fit for our squad with the high quality he has.
“We welcome Martin and his family to the club. We look forward to him settling in with his teammates and are very excited to see him playing in an Arsenal shirt.”
Mikel Arteta welcomes ‘quality’ midfielder to Emirates Stadium
Mikel Arteta added: “Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team. He will fit in really well and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us.
“The standard he has consistently performed at over the last few seasons for both club and country is exactly why we are so excited to have him with us. We all welcome Martin and his family to the club.”
Zubimendi becomes Arsenal’s second confirmed transfer this summer, following Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga through the doors. Christian Norgaard could well be the next name to be unveiled amid reports of interest in the Brentford star, while the hunt for a talisman and a winger continues.
In other news, Arsenal transfer round-up: Gunners get striker 'green light' and focus on key contract talks.
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