Arsenal 'ties down' an old Barça target: Martín Zubimendi

Martín Zubimendi closed an agreement with Arsenal to become the new defensive pivot for Mikel Arteta's team. The Spanish coach had been insisting on his signing for months and, finally, the 'Gunners' board reached an agreement with Real Sociedad, who had secured the midfielder until 2027.

According to the 'BBC', the Spanish international will soon undergo medical tests to later sign a contract. The London team will pay the 60 million euros of the termination clause of the player from Donostia, who in 24/25 played 48 games (3,955 minutes) with Imanol Alguacil's team.

Zubimendi was the pivot chosen by Xavi Hernández to replace Sergio Busquets, but Real never wanted to negotiate his transfer for an amount lower than his clause. After the departure of the coach from Egara, Hansi Flick trusted Marc Bernal and Marc Casadó, two of Barça's great revelations in the season that has just ended.

Zubimendi chooses Arsenal, another door slammed for Real Madrid

Finally, Martín will make the leap to a 'top' club in 25/26 at 26 years old. Arsenal prioritized the arrival of a natural '5', since Jorginho will sign next week with the Brazilian Flamengo to play in the Club World Cup. The London team already has David Raya and Mikel Merino in their squad, with which the club will incorporate its third Spanish player.

In addition, the 'Gunners' may also lose Thomas Partey, another of the players whose contract ends on June 30 and whose continuity remains undefined. The Ghanaian, in fact, was considered as an alternative for Barça, but the club does not plan to incorporate more defensive midfielders this summer.

In the case of Zubimendi, the player from Donosti also had an offer from Real Madrid to join Xabi Alonso's team. However, the Basque preferred the Arsenal option, since there he will have many more options to be an undisputed starter.

The 'merengues' have Aurélien Tchouaméni and Dani Ceballos for that position, although it is likely that the player from Utrera will leave in the coming weeks. The other alternative is Eduardo Camavinga, but the Frenchman does not feel comfortable in defensive tasks. Thus, the whites suffer another setback in a market that is just beginning.