Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has played down talk of an imminent transfer for Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal, but there may be a financial explanation for the apparent delay.
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN: Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Samu Costa of RCD Mallorca during the LaLiga match between Real Sociedad and RCD Mallorca at Reale Arena on April 12, 2025. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Reports this week have suggested that Martin Zubimendi’s transfer to Arsenal is all but done, with only a medical remaining before the Gunners can officially announce the midfielder’s signing.
Yet Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay disputed those reports, suggesting they still want Zubimendi to stay.
“Zubimendi is the only player we have had transfer talks about,” Aperribay admitted. “We would like him to stay with us here, and we know there are several options, and one may or may not materialize.
“I don’t see it happening in the short term, so we have to wait and see.”
MADRID, SPAIN: Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad controls the ball during the Copa del Rey semifinal match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 01, 2025. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Perhaps this is just a case of a club president refusing to confirm something before it’s official. Maybe Real Sociedad really are hoping to keep the midfielder around for another season. But there’s also a theory that there’s a financial explanation for a delay.
El Diario Vasco (via Sport Witness) report that the deal may be held back to allow both clubs to include it in the next financial year, beginning on July 1st. The Spanish outlet didn’t dispute that Zubimendi is heading to Arsenal, but we might have to wait one more month until it’s announced.
Yon Cuezva of Radio MARCA has made a similar claim, again suggesting the deal will be delayed until July for accounting reasons. So there’s no reason to panic just yet, despite Aperribay’s comments.
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN: Martín Zubimendi of Real Sociedad of Real Sociedad being followed by Julian Alvarez of Atletico de Madrid during the LaLiga match between Real Sociedad and Atletico de Madrid at Reale Arena on October 06, 2024. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Zubimendi ended up making 48 appearances for Real Sociedad in 2024/25, as well as starting six of Spain’s last eight matches. The 26-year-old has been called up again for the June international break.
The defensive midfielder has spent his entire career so far with Real Sociedad, despite regularly receiving approaches from many of the best clubs in Europe. Liverpool were particularly keen to sign him last summer, but he turned them down.
Arsenal will surely breathe a sigh of relief once the formalities are complete.
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