Arsenal bolster midfield with £60m Zubimendi deal
Arsenal have accomplished a deal price near £60m (€69.5m) to signal central midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Actual Sociedad.
Zubimendi has lengthy been anticipated to clinch a transfer to the Emirates Stadium, with Mikel Arteta trying to strengthen his midfield after three successive runner-up finishes within the Premier League.
The 26-year-old rejected the possibility to hitch Liverpool final yr, having been a part of Luis de la Fuente’s victorious Spain squad at Euro 2024.
Arsenal didn’t reveal particulars of Zubimendi’s contract, solely saying he had penned a “long-term” cope with the membership.
Zubimendi informed the Gunners’ web site: “This can be a enormous second in my profession. It’s the transfer I used to be on the lookout for and one I needed to make.
“As quickly as you set foot right here, you realise how large this membership and this staff are.
“I set my sights on Arsenal as a result of their model of play is an effective match for me. They’ve proven their potential lately and the perfect is but to return.”
Controlling the tempo.
Martin Zubimendi is a Gunner
Unique music by Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso. pic.twitter.com/sYbDanRUnT
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 6, 2025
Zubimendi graduated from La Actual’s youth system earlier than spending six years of their first-team squad, making 236 appearances throughout all competitions.
He performed alongside present Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino as La Actual gained the Copa del Rey in 2019-20, additionally serving to his boyhood membership obtain Champions League qualification by ending fourth in LaLiga in 2022-23.
In 36 league appearances final season, Zubimendi tried 1,752 passes and accomplished 1,479, with 321 of his profitable passes ending within the closing third.
These first two figures had been team-highs for La Actual as they completed eleventh, whereas solely Takefusa Kubo (326) bettered the latter complete.
Zubimendi additionally made a beneficial contribution defensively final season, rating within the prime 16% of central midfielders in LaLiga for floor duel success charge and the highest 23% for aerial duel success charge.
Arteta stated: “Martin will convey an enormous quantity of high quality and soccer intelligence to our staff. He’ll slot in very well and he has all of the attributes to be a key participant for us.
“The usual he has constantly carried out at over the previous couple of seasons for each membership and nation is precisely why we’re so excited to have him with us. All of us welcome Martin and his household to the membership.”
Zubimendi’s Premier League debut may come in opposition to Manchester United at Previous Trafford, the place Arsenal start their 2025-26 marketing campaign on August 17.
