Arsenal 'confident' on £52m summer transfer despite Real Madrid move (2025)

Arsenal are looking to make Martin Zubimendi their first summer signing with the Gunners confident of landing the Real Sociedad midfielder once they meet his release clause

Arsenal remain confident of securing a deal for Martin Zubimendi - who could become their first summer signing. The Gunners are known to have a long-term interest in the Real Sociedad midfielder.

Zubimendi was on the club's radar in the summer but remained with the La Liga outfit, 12 months on though and Arsenal are confident of securing his services once they trigger his £52million release clause. That is despite Real Madrid also circling whilst Liverpool were heavily interested last summer.

The 26-year-old has been a standout in San Sebastian and helped Spain win the Euros, deputising impressively for Rodri. Arsenal believe he can further bolster their midfield and new sporting director Andrea Berta is on the same page as Arteta regarding his qualities, reports ESPN.

Arsenal have continued to bolster their midfield ranks in recent seasons with the club-record addition of Declan Rice in 2023 among their most significant buys. Zubimendi would compliment the Englishman and Martin Odegaard in the middle of the pitch.

Sociedad have been willing to cash in on their top players with several of them proving key to Spain's success last summer and Arsenal are poised to return. The two clubs have a recent history of negotiating with the Premier League side landing Mikel Merino 12 months ago.

The north Londoners are eyeing multiple additions this summer with a striker and a winger among the positions they want to strengthen. Arteta has been backed throughout his tenure and looks set to invest further in pursuit of the title, which they're set to miss out on again.

Zubimendi's signing would be a coup, especially as he rejected Liverpool last summer, but the club are set to address their issues in the final third. They've resisted calls to sign a striker in recent years but that failure has become glaringly obvious this season.

Arsenal don't have a single player who has scored double figure goals in the Premier League with Kai Havertz still their most prolific players, notching nine times. The club have been linked with the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres as they seek more firepower.

Thomas Partey is out of contract but he is keen to remain at the Emirates with the club open to him staying. Kieran Tierney though will move on whilst the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko could be cashed in on if a suitable offer comes their way.

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