Real Sociedad defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi has revealed that he intentionally uploaded pictures of himself on a famous beach in Spain last week to pour cold water on reports that he was set for a medical ahead of a move to Arsenal.
The Spain international is expected to join the Gunners this summer after both clubs agreed to the payment structures of the £51 million release clause in his contract, but it appears the move is not as close to earlier reported.
Zubimendi has now clarified things, insisting he wanted to make an example of such reports, hence the reason for taking to social media platform Instagram to upload the beach pictures.
“It’s an example of what surrounds football,” the Arsenal target said.
“Many times I wake up in the morning and read things that I didn’t know I had done. That was a clear example.
“It’s true that I don’t take it very seriously, but anyway, I uploaded those photos to emphasize a little that it wasn’t exactly the reality that was happening.”
Zubimendi is expected to join Arsenal, but nothing is certain yet as he has not signed a deal, and fans will hope he does not change his mind after he opted against joining Liverpool last summer.
The Spaniard was close to joining the Reds, only to change his mind once it emerged that Arsenal were also interested.
The North Londoners wanted him last summer but could not do a deal because of the number of midfielders they had in their squad.
As a result, Zubimendi was happy to stay at Sociedad for one more season before joining them this summer.