Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has stirred up fresh speculation surrounding Arsenal’s move for Martin Zubimendi, after insisting they would like the midfielder to stay.
Martin Zubimendi is turning into a curious subject for many Arsenal fans at the moment, who are battling contrasting reports every day for the past few days. Earlier in the month, Fabrizio Romano gave his ‘Here We Go’ for an agreement between the Giunners and the midfielder while suggesting the club will proceed with finalising terms with Real Sociedad.
The news of the chase had emerged back in January, and it appeared that the midfielder was in the bag. Between Romano’s post and this Wednesday, many reports from Spain had linked him with a move to Real Madrid.
Earlier this week, another story from Spain suggested Zubimendi was undecided over his future and could yet choose Real Madrid if the Spanish giants came calling. Yet, Arsenal had stayed confident of signing the 26-year-old key star from Real Sociedad.
On Wednesday, multiple reports including one from BBC’s Sami Mokbel stated that the two clubs have now agreed terms and that Zubimendi would undergo his medicals soon enough. However, the latest quotes from Real Sociedad’s president Jokin Aperribay have stirred up fresh speculation over the midfielder’s future.
Aperribay’s comments on ElDesmarque via Sport Witness stated he desires Zubmendi to stay and indicated that a move to Arsenal is far from done. Whether that is the truth remains the question, as his words may end up puzzling Arsenal fans more.
Aperribay said, “We’ve told Martin to go to the national team calmly, to think about it, and we’d like him to stay. We know there are several options. Something may come to fruition or not… I don’t see it happening in the short term. We don’t see it that way, so we have to wait and see.”
Whether or not Aperribay’s words hold water is the question especially after some of the top sources have stated otherwise. The baffling fact about Zubimendi is that he came close to leaving the club last summer for Liverpool, though he ultimately changed his decision and chose to stay put.
Arsenal may have been interested back then and ended up signing their other midfielder Mikel Merino instead. The Spaniard has been a big hit at the Emirates, and now they are looking to reunite him with Zubimendi.
Incidentally, Real Sociedad had seemingly hinted at a new deal for Zubimendi, although nothing has been signed yet. That may be one of the indications that the Spaniard is ready for a new challenge, and going by the word of major sources, the 26-year-old might be on his way to Arsenal in the coming period.