Tag: Martin Zubimendi

Arsenal signing Martin Zubimendi means another declining player is out the door
Analysis

Arsenal signing Martin Zubimendi means another declining player is out the door

Arsenal need a striker more than anything in order to win the Premier League and make the leap from "in the mix" to a true Champions League title contender, but their biggest priority signing seemed to be a midfielder. And after going after him for more than a year, Arsenal are now set to secure the signing of defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the club have reached an agreement with the 26-year-old star from Real Sociedad. Zubimendi will cost the team 60 million euros, per his release clause with La Real, and will immediately slot in the starting lineup alongside 105 million pound 2023 transfer Declan Rice at the base of the midfield. One of the best No. 6's in the world, Zubimendi helped turn Real Sociedad into perennial Champions League c...
5 biggest winners and losers on Arsenal from the Martin Zubimendi transfer
Analysis

5 biggest winners and losers on Arsenal from the Martin Zubimendi transfer

After more than a year in pursuit, Arsenal are set to sign Real Sociedad defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi as Fabrizio Romano is reporting that the Gunners have reached an agreement with the 26-year-old on a deal and will soon activate his 60 million euro release clause. Zubimendi is one of the most coveted No. 6's in the world - a position in which there is a lack of top talent. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Manchester United were all linked with Zubimendi, but it was obvious that the only team he was willing to leave Real Sociedad for was Arsenal. Now that the transfer is set to be completed, let's run through the biggest winners and losers on Arsenal as a result of the transfer, Winner: AM Martin Odegaard There is perhaps no bigger winner than Martin Odegaard, who c...
The next signing Arsenal have to make after Martin Zubimendi transfer is obvious
Analysis

The next signing Arsenal have to make after Martin Zubimendi transfer is obvious

Arsenal have been in dogged pursuit of Real Sociedad star defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi for over a year now, and Fabrizio Romano has just reported that the Gunners have agreed to a deal to sign the top-class LaLiga No. 6 for his 60 million euro release clause. Despite some interest from Real Madrid, the move has come as no surprise, as Arsenal were the overwhelming favorites to sign the 26-year-old Spanish international this summer above other clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Barcelona who were also linked. Zubimendi slots in comfortably next to Declan Rice at the base of a midfield that will also include former Zubi teammate and Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino as backup. Better yet, Arsenal will have captain and attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard in front of...
The best possible Arsenal starting lineup after Martin Zubimendi transfer
Analysis

The best possible Arsenal starting lineup after Martin Zubimendi transfer

Arsenal have been pursuing Martin Zubimendi as their top transfer target for more than a year now, and although there were rumblings that Real Madrid could potentially swoop in and sign the Real Sociedad star with Xabi Alonso entering the picture as their new manager, the Gunners were always seen as overwhelming favorites to land the 26-year-old defensive midfielder. Now, Fabrizio Romano has given the official "Here We Go" to the move, stating that Zubimendi has verbally agreed to sign a long-term deal with the North London powerhouse, and Arsenal, of course, can sign Zubi due to his 60 million euro release clause. With Zubimendi set to arrive at the Emirates Stadium one year after former Real Sociedad midfield teammate Mikel Merino did the same, here's a look at how the Arsenal star...
The only way Arsenal lose Martin Zubimendi to Real Madrid
Transfer News

The only way Arsenal lose Martin Zubimendi to Real Madrid

Real Sociedad defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been one of LaLiga's finest players over the last couple of seasons, and after rebuffing several big clubs in order to stay with La Real, it looks like Arsenal have the inside track to finally sign the most coveted No. 6 on the transfer market. Defensive midfielders who control the game are a rare commodity in world football, and they generally go for major transfer fees. Real Madrid spent 80 million euros on Champions League winner Aurelien Tchouameni in 2022, while Arsenal spent a club record 100 million pounds on Declan Rice in 2023. Zubimendi will be cheaper than those two at 60 million euros, though, at 26 years old, he's also hitting the transfer market a few years older than Rice and Tchouameni were. ALSO READ: 3 summe...
Arsenal fully expected to win Martin Zubimendi transfer battle
Transfer News

Arsenal fully expected to win Martin Zubimendi transfer battle

Arsenal have been pursuing Real Sociedad center midfielder Martin Zubimendi for over a year now, and even after signing teammate Mikel Merino last summer from La Real, the Gunners still remain very much interested in the talented 26-year-old Spanish international. However, recent interest from Real Madrid has threatened to complicate things, as Madrid are the biggest club in Spanish football and have a big need for a midfield regista who can cover defensively while controlling and dictating play in possession. Despite the recent rumors linking Zubimendi to Real Madrid, it seems like Arsenal are still the favorites to ultimately land the most coveted No. 6 in European football. According to a report from Sky Sports's Dharmesh Sheth, via afcstuff, a Zubimendi transfer to Arsenal wil...
David Ornstein clarifies Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal transfer rumors
Transfer News

David Ornstein clarifies Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal transfer rumors

Arsenal have been driving hard to sign Real Sociedad breakout star Martin Zubimendi ever since he emerged on everyone's radar as one of the best No. 6's in European football last season. They even signed one of his best teammates in the summer 2024 transfer window, bringing Mikel Merino on board to pair with Declan Rice at the base of the midfield. But Arsenal still want Zubimendi. The problem is that Liverpool and Barcelona aren't the only formidable adversaries interested in the Spanish international on the transfer market, as Real Madrid are now pushing hard to sign the La Real standout. The Athletic's David Ornstein recently clarified the rumors stating that Real Madrid are now favored over Arsenal in the transfer battle. Via Madrid Xtra, Ornstein said that he has not heard of...
Xabi Alonso recruiting star midfielder to Real Madrid besides Florian Wirtz?
Transfer News

Xabi Alonso recruiting star midfielder to Real Madrid besides Florian Wirtz?

Real Madrid are expected to finally make a change at the manager post this summer, swapping the legendary Carlo Ancelotti for Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, who earned widespread acclaim for an undefeated season in 2023/24. In 2024/25, Alonso has recovered from a slow start to help Leverkusen push Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title once more, only enhancing his reputation as the best young manager in world football even further. The best possible get to replace Ancelotti, the reigning winner of the Champions League, Alonso's time could be now, and he is apparently already eyeing some big moves for Real Madrid in the summer 2025 transfer window if president Florentino Perez gives him the job. According to Fabrizio Romano, via Madrid Xtra, the big reason for the sudden ru...
Real Madrid are beating Arsenal in Martin Zubimendi transfer battle
Transfer News

Real Madrid are beating Arsenal in Martin Zubimendi transfer battle

For more than a year now, Real Sociedad star defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been the hottest name at the position, wanted by clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, and even LaLiga top-four rivals Barcelona on the transfer market. But now, the other giants of LaLiga have joined in with serious interest in Zubimendi, as Real Madrid have taken stock of their club's issues in the post-Toni Kroos landscape and correctly view a lack of control as one of their biggest weaknesses. Without Kroos, Real Madrid have not had control in most of their meaningful matches, which have featured disappointing results to the likes of Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool this season. Well, Real Madrid see Zubimendi as the best available deep-lying midfielder with controlling capabilities, and t...
5 transfers Champions League clubs need to make in summer 2025
Transfer News

5 transfers Champions League clubs need to make in summer 2025

Winning the Champions League is one thing, but staying on top and being a legitimate title contender year in and year out is another thing entirely and requires making the right signings at the right times. Here are five signings that the traditional heavyweights - and new contenders - in the Champions League need to make in the summer 2025 transfer window in order to improve their chances of making the leap or building a true dynasty. Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid Listen, Real Madrid needed to sign another right back five years ago, and while Dani Carvajal proved a lot of Madrid fans wrong by showing he has plenty left in the tank last season, he will be coming off an ACL tear in 2025/26 at the age of 33 at a physically demanding position. Real Madrid need a new right back...