Arsenal have reportedly finally agreed a deal with Real Sociedad to sign Martin Zubimendi, but the Gunners will pay more than the midfielder's £51million release clause
12:15, 10 Jun 2025
MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 8: Martín Zubimendi of Spain celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 8, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Qian Jun/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)
Arsenal have agreed a fee to sign Martin Zubimendi(Image: Sports Press Photo, Getty Images)
Arsenal have reportedly finally reached an agreement to sign Martin Zubimendi.
The Real Sociedad midfielder has a £51million release clause in his contract, but as Liverpool discovered last summer, agreeing to pay that fee doesn't necessarily seal the deal. Zubimendi, who rejected a move to Anfield last year, has been reluctant to leave his childhood club.
That has complicated his expected transfer to the Gunners. Despite agreeing to the move well before the summer transfer window opened on June 1, there have been delays in Arsenal confirming his signing.
Interest from Real Madrid and non-committal comments from Zubimendi confused the deal. However, it now appears that Arsenal have managed to finalise the deal, with an explanation surfacing for the delay.
Real Sociedad informed Arsenal they wanted the deal completed in July for accounting purposes, according to The Athletic. Meanwhile, negotiations were drawn out as Arsenal negotiated over the payment structure, aiming to pay his release clause in instalments.
Munich, Germany - June 8: Martin Zubimendi of Spain controls the Ball during the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 8, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
Zubimendi's Arsenal deal has not been straightforward(Image: DeFodi Images, DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
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Instead of lumping the entire fee on the doorstep of the Spanish Football Federation, Arsenal have opted to fork out £55m – £4m over his release clause – to Real Sociedad. This allows them to stagger the payments across several years.
Arsenal are looking to distribute the cost of signing Zubimendi to ensure they have sufficient funds for other transfer activities this summer.
The Gunners are planning to sign a top-tier centre-forward, having finished runners-up in three consecutive Premier League seasons and been eliminated from the Champions League at the semi-final stage.
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They are currently in talks with RB Leipzig over Benjamin Sesko's availability, with the German club demanding £70m. They also have their sights set on Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, who has a price tag of around £60m.
Elsewhere, Arsenal's sporting director Andrea Berta is expected to finalise the more straightforward deal to bring in Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea. The Spanish goalkeeper will cost £5m and is set to serve as the back-up keeper for his fellow countryman David Raya.