Martin Zubimendi makes final decision on Arsenal & Real Madrid transfer

Real Sociedad's sought-after midfielder Martin Zubimendi has not only decided to leave his boyhood club this summer, but has already settled on joining Arsenal rather than Real Madrid according to a report in Spain.

The 26-year-old midfielder has been on the radar of clubs from across the continent since breaking into La Real's starting XI half a decade ago. An established Spain international who replaced Rodri in the triumphant final of Euro 2024 against England, Zubimendi is billed as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.

Any potential deal for the scheming passer was made all the more attractive by the relatively affordable €60m (£51m) buyout clause in his contract. Liverpool agreed to pay this sum last summer only to be snubbed by Zubimendi, who later explained that he was not at the right point in his "personal progression" to move for the first time in his career.

That stance has changed.

Unwilling to leave La Real in the lurch during the winter window, it's been widely reported that Zubimendi is content to finally part ways with the Basque outfit this summer. A whole host of clubs were thought to be circling around the modestly priced, specialist midfielder and the pairing of Arsenal and Real Madrid soon emerged as the two leading chasers.

Arsenal were given the edge in January before Madrid shifted their full focus into this particular pursuit, and it has now been reaffirmed that the Gunners are in pole position to snap up Real Sociedad's prized asset. AS journalist Eduardo Burgos claimed this week that Mikel Arteta's side have "almost finalised" a move for Zubimendi, who "wants to try his luck in London".

ESPN support this stance, describing Arsenal as "confident" that they can make the midfielder the club's first signing of the summer window.

Madrid are not entirely out of the race just yet - and the potential appointment of Xabi Alonso as manager would reportedly increase the club's attempts to sign his Basque compatriot. Yet, it is Arsenal who are said to be in the driving seat ahead of a summer which promises plenty of changes for a side trying to break three consecutive seasons in second place.

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