The deal to take Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad Arsenal may be delayed until July, for accounting purposes.
That’s [according to El Diario Vasco](https://www.diariovasco.com/real-sociedad/zubimendi-cerca-firmar-arsenal-solo-falta-reconocimiento-20250528160357-nt.html?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.es%2F), who report that the midfielder’s move may not be made official for a month.
Reports today have made it clear that Arsenal are closing in on the midfielder, with documents now signed and Zubimendi potentially undergoing a medical soon.
The information in Spain and England is that the deal is now done. Most are expecting it to be made official sooner rather than later.
El Diario Vasco say it may be later, though, as that would allow both clubs to include it in next year’s financial year which begins on July 1st. If it made official before then, it would be included in 2024/25 financial year.
The newspaper suggests that Real Sociedad may wish to include it in next year’s given that the sales of Robin Le Normand and Mikel Merino were included in the 2024/25 financial year as they went through in June last year.
There is one positive for Arsenal fans as they also say that the Real Sociedad and the player’s entourage have accepted that his departure is a reality this summer. According to them, Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso have moved too late to intervene.
The deal, at the player’s €60m release clause, will become the second most expensive in the Spanish side’s history after Alexander Isak’s move to Newcastle for €72m in 2022.
Of course, Arsenal can take the timing out of Real Sociedad’s hands by simply paying the clause.