Arsenal Complete €65m Signing of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad

Arsenal have signed Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for €65 million. The Spanish midfielder, 26, will wear number 36. He joins after months of rumors and signs a five-year contract until 2030.

According to a previous report, Martin Zubimendi‘s transfer to Arsenal is final.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Arsenal wanted Zubimendi last summer, naming him their top midfield target. They began working on this transfer after confirming Jorginho and Thomas Partey would leave when their contracts expire. Arsenal opted to activate Zubimendi’s release clause in March, ahead of Real Madrid and Liverpool. The manager, Mikel Arteta, helped persuade Zubimendi to join by forming a strong connection with him. Ex-Sociedad player Mikel Merino, who joined Arsenal last summer, also played a part in the move.

Real Sociedad sold Martin Zubimendi for a fee slightly higher than his €60 million release clause, as reported earlier.

WHY ZUBIMENDI’S ARRIVAL MATTERS

Zubimendi is considered one of La Liga‘s best midfielders, known for controlling possession and dictating play. His leadership made him a key player for Sociedad, where he managed 3,133 minutes, with three goals and four assists last season, helping secure European qualification for the 2023-24 season. The Gunners missed out on the Premier League title by just a few points last term and are keen to go one better this season.

During his last season with Real Sociedad, Martin Zubimendi played 43 games, scoring three goals and providing four assists, as noted in a previous update here.

WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

The arrival of Zubimendi will help them deal with a lack of quality in midfield, as well as providing Mikel Arteta with an option to give more depth in the midfield as Arsenal has also bought Norgaard for the middle of the pack, as well as Kepa for the goal. The team is also in talks with Madueke and Gyokeres for the attack for next season.

Arsenal finished second in the Premier League during the 2024-25 season, with 70 points, as confirmed in a recent report.