Arsenal look all set to complete a move for Martin Zubimendi, with the Real Sociedad midfielder edging closer to a Premier League switch.
The 26-year-old, widely coveted by Mikel Arteta, could be the club's first marquee summer acquisition, even as Real Madrid loom as competition for his signature.
Zubimendi's rise has caught the eye both domestically and internationally, leading to mounting anticipation from the Arsenal faithful. But it's Xabi Alonso’s high praise that really emphasises the potential impact of his arrival, wherever he may end up.
Back when Alonso was at the helm of Real Sociedad's B squad in 2022, he had an up-close look at Zubimendi’s development and didn't shy away from commending him, saying: "Martin's a player all coaches would want.
"He's generous, he always thinks more about his team-mates than himself. He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions; to improve the move."
These words reflected the dynamic yet grounded skill set that has made Zubimendi such an appealing prospect for Arsenal. Alonso delved deeper into his analysis, illuminating the sort of intelligence and positional awareness that separate him from the rest, reports the Mirror.
"He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him," Alonso elaborated, praising Zubimendi's prescient sense of play. "He has that ability to organise, the axis."
Zubimendi's knack for anticipating and dictating play has earned him comparisons to the legendary Alonso, who excelled in controlling the game's tempo at Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.
MUNICH, GERMANY - JUNE 08: Martin Zubimendi of Spain celebrates scoring his team's first goal the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Zubimendi is close to joining Arsenal (Image: Lars Baron, Getty Images)
Real's rumoured pursuit of Zubimendi has intensified as they seek a successor for the departing Luka Modric, with their eyes set on the Basque midfielder after Chelsea made it clear that Enzo Fernandez was not available.
Spanish publication Marca reports that a recent call from Madrid "changed everything" for Zubimendi, as the La Liga titans aim to entice him away from Arsenal's grasp. Despite this, Arsenal are hopeful.
According to The Athletic, a deal to bring Zubimendi to north London is now all but signed, and a fee of £56million has been agreed upon - a considerable £5m more than the midfielder's release clause tag.
Such an increased fee is supposedly a result of the Gunners being wary of landing themselves in PSR trouble, as, if they pay the larger sum, they can do so in instalments as opposed to a larger sum. This will give Arsenal more wiggle room in the transfer market, and because their PSR will remain healthy, a potential big-name striker could be signed more easily.
Benjamin Sesko has emerged as a leading choice among Arsenal's targets, which also include Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak. Negotiations for the RB Leipzig forward, who scored 21 goals across all competitions last season, are reportedly underway.
Last summer, Sesko signed a new contract with his club that extends until 2029, but with Leipzig missing out on European football, his departure seems probable. There are hopes that a fee of around £70m could entice the Slovenian to join Arsenal, and given the absence of any PSR issues, the club can realistically make such an offer.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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