Deal Signed: Arsenal finally completes dream signing as striker completes medical to join the Gunners on a long-term deal
Arsenal fans will be waiting to see major signings come through the door this summer – and one addition may see fans wait until July, with reports suggesting that Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi will only be able to join next month at the preference of his current employers.
The Gunners could spend up to £300million this summer under new director Andrea Berta, as he aims to aid Mikel Arteta’s push for the Premier League and Champions League trophies, having fallen short last season. And, whilst names such as Rodrygo and Viktor Gyokeres have been linked from Real Madrid and Sporting respectively, Zubimendi seems to be the certain purchase – though they’ll have to wait.
Report: Zubimendi to Arsenal ‘Will go Through’ in July
The Spaniard will play in a red shirt next season
The report by The Athletic states that Jorginho is set to leave the club, and there will shortly be a vacancy in their defensive midfield ranks – though that will be addressed by the imminent arrival of Zubimendi.
The La Real midfielder’s move is ‘effectively’ agreed, pending a medical – though Arsenal will have to wait for confirmation on a deal, with Sociedad having expressed their preference for the deal to be completed in July for accounting purposes.
Declan Rice is their main midfielder, though he’s shown that he’s astute at carrying the ball and playing as a No. 8 – whilst Zubimendi’s former Sociedad and current Spain teammate, Mikel Merino, has been used as an auxiliary forward in recent months, failing to be used in midfield where he was originally bought for.
With Jorginho set for a move to Brazilian side Flamengo on a three-year contract, and Thomas Partey still not having agreed a new deal at the Emirates Stadium, a new man in the middle of the park will be needed and Zubimendi is close to joining, although it may not be another month – which will see the Gunners wait a little longer for the ‘world-class’ talent.
Zubimendi missed just two games in La Liga this season, and featured in all but four of their Europa League games as Sociedad reached the last 16 before being knocked out by eventual finalists Manchester United. 236 appearances for Sociedad, coupled with 15 Spain caps, means that Arteta will be inheriting a strong signing with superb availability.
