Arsenal have been finalising plans to sign Real Sociedad holding midfielder Martin Zubimendi for the past few months, with Real Madrid also showing interest in his services.
The official line was that Arsenal were always ahead of every other suitor in the race. There is an expectation that he will be strutting his stuff at the Emirates this summer.
However, reports from Spain over the past few days claimed Real Madrid were stepping up their Zubimendi pursuit to hijack the transfer from Arsenal.
The Athletic has poured cold water on that news, reiterating that the Gunners remain far ahead in the race for Zubimendi and are most likely to seal a deal for the highly rated Spain international.
Asked about the renewed Madrid interest, [David Ornstein](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6235165/2025/03/27/ask-ornstein-qa-our-football-insider-answers-your-questions-22/) said: “I personally haven’t heard this. Arsenal are expecting Zubimendi to join in the summer.
“I don’t know if that means it is completely done, but for some time now, they have been working on the basis that he will be coming in, and a huge amount of work went into getting them to that point – while Edu was still in position as sporting director and subsequently when Jason Ayto took over on an interim basis.”
Arsenal fans will be thrilled that they are still on course to sign the midfielder as the Gunners prepare to lose Thomas Partey and Jorginho for free this summer.
With the Gunners set to lose two highly experienced players in the engine room, the club might push for another midfielder, with [rumours swirling that incoming sporting director Andrea Berta wants Newcastle United man Bruno Guimaraes](https://footballtoday.com/2025/03/13/andrea-berta-now-wants-arsenal-to-sign-51m-midfielder-alongside-martin-zubimendi-report/).
Ornstein also claimed that he does not see Arsenal signing Guimaraes as he would be expensive, especially after their massive outlay on Zubimendi.
The wise move for Arsenal would be to keep one of Jorginho and Partey. The latter has been outstanding this season, and the Gunners should try to keep him for one more year.
Partey is still at the top of his game and can contribute to the Gunners next season. Arsenal can let him leave at the end of next season and sign another midfielder to bolster their ranks.