Arsenal have been tipped to sign a "world-class striker" after completing a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with manager Mikel Arteta putting pressure on the club's board to compete in the transfer market.
Arsenal seal Martin Zubimendi agreement with medical imminent
On Wednesday afternoon, BBC journalist Sami Mokbel was the first to break news that Zubimendi is set to undergo a medical at Arsenal ahead of sealing a switch to north London.
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Andrea Berta's talks for him hit a snag earlier this week.
Arsenal have been in negotiations for the Spain international since January (The Mail), and Real Madrid were reportedly threatening to hijack their move for him at one stage, given the length of time it was taking to shake hands on an agreement.
Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports) Money on new signings
19/20 - winter £0
20/21 - summer £81.5m
20/21 - winter £900k
21/22 - summer £156.8m
21/22 - winter £1.8m
22/23 - summer £121.5m
22/23 - winter £59m
23/24 - summer £208m
23/24 - winter £0
24/25 - summer £101.5m
24/25 - winter £0
However, those fears are now seemingly being put to rest, and it looks beyond all doubt that Zubimendi will become Andrea Berta's first signing as Arsenal's new sporting director.
Arsenal will trigger his £51 million release clause and bring in an adept replacement for Jorginho, who is off to Flamengo after agreeing a pre-contract, with Arteta's side potentially going into next season with a solid centre midfield trio of Declan Rice, Zubimendi and Thomas Partey - if they can indeed extend the latter's deal.
The 26-year-old comes to N5 with a glowing reputation as a top-performer for boyhood club Sociedad, who also helped Spain to win Euro 2024 last year, with Arsenal praised for signing a "perfect foil" to Rice in the middle.
Ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer window for Berta, attention now turns to who will follow Zubimendi to the Emirates.
Arsenal tipped to sign "world-class" striker after Martin Zubimendi
According to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol, Arteta has been pushing high-ranking Arsenal officials to be active in the market, with Zubimendi potentially just one of many new incomings.
After the Spaniard, Solhekol tips Arsenal to sign a "world-class" striker, amid links to RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres.
"We have heard Mikel Arteta say that when Arsenal come calling, players most often say yes. They find it difficult to turn them down," said Solhekol.
"I'm sure Zubimendi has been very impressed by what Mikel Arteta is doing at Arsenal. Arsenal are pressing ahead with completing a deal. He will become Arsenal's first signing of the summer.
"Not the last. Arsenal will sign a striker this summer. I think they will sign a world-class striker, like Victor Gyokeres from Sporting or Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. It will be Zubimendi and a striker, as well as other players. Next season, Arteta wants to win the title. He has been putting pressure on the board.
Havertz-Sesko-Arsenal
"They will be active in the window."
This comes as a very encouraging update for supporters, especially after they finished 10 points behind Premier League champions Liverpool and ended 2024/25 trophyless, with Arteta determined to get it right next term.
An elite centre-forward is quite simply imperative after they fell short of their previous goalscoring standards this year, with just 69 scored in the league, not to mention registering more draws than any other side in the top 10.