Martin Zubimendi
Image credit: Getty Images
Martin Zubimendi has thrown fresh uncertainty over his potential move to Arsenal this summer, refusing to rule out the possibility of staying at Real Sociedad for another season.
The 26-year-old Spanish midfielder, who was reportedly close to joining Liverpool last year before deciding to remain with his boyhood club, has long been admired by Arsenal. The Gunners are said to be confident of triggering his €60 million (£50.5m) release clause to bring him to the Emirates Stadium, with reports last week even suggesting a medical had been scheduled ahead of a transfer to Mikel Arteta’s side.
However, speaking in an interview with Radio Nacional de España on Tuesday, Zubimendi expressed uncertainty about his next move, admitting he has not yet made a final decision.
“Of course there are options, but it’s true that it seems like it’s going to be a different, long summer, and I don’t know how it will end,” Zubimendi said when asked about staying at Real Sociedad.“I don’t think thinking about it right now is my priority. I’m here with the national team, which I think is already quite demanding, and if I have to say something, then I will.”
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Zubimendi also addressed the recent rumours of a completed medical with Arsenal. Shortly after those reports surfaced, the midfielder posted a photo from a beach in San Sebastián on Instagram—seemingly in response to the speculation.
Arsenal - Martin Zubimendi
Martin Zubimendi (Image credit: Getty Images)
“It’s an example of what surrounds football,” he 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 emphasise a little that it wasn’t exactly the reality that was happening.”
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The midfielder, currently on international duty with Spain ahead of Euro 2024, also fielded a question about potentially reuniting with former coach Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid. Zubimendi, who played under Alonso at Real Sociedad B, praised the Bayer Leverkusen manager but chose not to dwell on the possibility.
“I have always said that he was my idol and that for me it was lucky that he was able to coach me in the reserve team in a very important year,” he said. “The following year I was already in the first team and, well, I don’t like to talk about those hypotheses. I prefer to talk about the present, because I also think that it would be disrespectful to answer from the national team training camp and before facing such an important competition.”
Despite Arsenal’s strong interest and the clarity of his release clause, Zubimendi’s latest comments suggest that any move this summer remains far from certain. With the midfielder focused on Spain’s Euro 2024 campaign, a resolution on his future may have to wait until after the tournament.
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