On Tuesday, Marca had a frontpage report on Real Madrid’s desire to snatch Real Sociedad star Martín Zubimendi from Arsenal’s clutches. They stated he hasn’t given ‘definitive yes’ to the Gunners and this gives Los Blancos hope to secure his services this summer.
Wednesday’s edition of Marca states Arsenal are confident of their agreement with the 26-year-old.
Marca have found out from sources close to Arsenal that things haven’t changed for them amid claims of Real Madrid’s emergence.
Xabi Alonso’s side joined late in the race as the midfielder has agreed with Mikel Arteta’s side. The north London club are pointing out to their agreement in place with the player and La Real.
Some sources from England tell Marca of an ‘existence of signed documents’, which has other details apart from the figures of the operation. The newspaper found out Arsenal are paying €65m, which is €5m more than his release clause, in instalments.
Arsenal are confident of securing Zubimendi’s services and are expecting him to be part of their pre-season tour of Asia in July.
Over at AS, they explain why the English club are taking the Spain international’s arrival for granted despite Real Madrid’s emergence.
They state the Gunners have a ‘pre-agreement’ in place with both him and Real Sociedad.
Arsenal have negotiated a €70m price [€5m more than Marca’s report] with the La Liga club as a ‘gesture of goodwill’. This allows them to pay the fee in instalments instead of paying €60m in one go. The player has also given his approval, ‘albeit pending a medical’.
The clubs want to book the transfer for next financial year which starts on July 1st and therefore, the delay.
To break Arsenal’s agreement, a club must at least offer €70m. This is the first condition, and the second is that they are compensated, likely by La Real. AS state these are the ‘two conditions that keep Arsenal very calm.’
To sum it up, Arsenal are confident of Zubimendi’s arrival and his medical is pending to complete a move to the Emirates.