Arsenal & Bayern Munich target brushes off rumours of summer transfer
- Martin Zubimendi has been heavily linked with a move away from Real Sociedad this summer
- Midfielder previously linked with a move to Barcelona
- There is a €60m release clause in his current contract
By Tom Gott
Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has moved to cool suggestions he could join Arsenal or Bayern Munich this summer.
The 25-year-old has dazzled at the base of Sociedad's midfield and earned strong links to Barcelona last season, although his €60m release clause quickly ensured the Catalan outfit would not be able to pursue a transfer.
This year, both Arsenal and Bayern have been named as potential suitors of Zubimendi, but the Sociedad star has poured cold water on the speculation by insisting he is in no rush to leave his current club.
"They are just rumours," he told Kooora. "I am happy at Real Sociedad, it is like my home.
"I cannot say that I will play my entire career at Real Sociedad, perhaps the club does not want me to continue in the future, but I do not worry about those rumours."
Coincidentally, Zubimendi is currently playing alongside Arsenal loanee Kieran Tierney, who gave a ringing endorsement of the midfielder to The Guardian earlier this year.
"You have world-class players like Zubimendi, [Mikel] Merino, Brais [Mendez]," Tierney said. "It's not that people don't think they're good; it's just that if you're only watching the Premier League every week, it's hard to know.
"They're world class, and for so many to come from the academy is incredible."
Zubimendi's current contract still has three more years to run, ensuring Sociedad feel little pressure to entertain offers for him.
The midfielder is in line to be named in Spain's squad for their Euro 2024 campaign in Germany this summer, with La Roja heading into the tournament as the reigning Nations League champions.
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