Real Sociedad president mount last-ditch bid to stop Martin Zubimendi’s Arsenal move

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Arsenal are edging closer to landing long-term target Martin Zubimendi, with Real Sociedad launching a final push to keep the Spanish midfielder at the club. The Gunners have been tracking Zubimendi for several transfer windows, and this summer appears to be their best chance yet of getting the deal done.

Zubimendi, 26, had previously been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, only to remain in San Sebastian following a passionate plea from manager Imanol Alguacil in 2024. That decision allowed him to play Champions League football with his boyhood club, but a repeat of that emotional intervention may not be enough this time around.

With Arsenal now frontrunners in the race, Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has stepped in, urging the Spain international to delay his decision until after international duty. Zubimendi is part of Luis de la Fuente’s squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League semi-final against France in June.

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“We’ve told Martin to go to the national team calmly, to think about it, and we’d like him to stay,” Aperribay said, via El Desmarque and Sport Witness. “We know there are several options. Something may come to fruition or not… I don’t see it happening in the short term. We don’t see it that way, so we have to wait and see.”

Real Sociedad are reportedly prepared to offer Zubimendi a new deal worth around £51 million to keep him at the Reale Arena, but Arsenal are ready to trigger his release clause and finalise a move before Spain’s Nations League campaign concludes.

Arsenal already secured the services of Zubimendi’s former midfield partner Mikel Merino last summer, and a reunion in North London could now be on the cards. Merino’s transition to Premier League football has reportedly been influential in Zubimendi’s decision-making process, further tipping the scales in Arsenal’s favour.

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Real Sociedad’s fortunes have taken a downturn since Merino’s departure, with the club finishing 11th in La Liga and exiting the Europa League after a 6-3 aggregate defeat to Manchester United. Zubimendi was one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise disappointing campaign, and his departure would mark another major blow.

While manager Alguacil once convinced Zubimendi to reject Liverpool by appealing to his emotional ties with the Basque region, this time the challenge appears far more difficult. Arsenal’s sporting project under Mikel Arteta, coupled with Champions League football and a long-term midfield plan, could prove too attractive to resist.

With medicals reportedly being arranged and discussions well advanced, all signs point to Arsenal finally securing Zubimendi’s signature — unless Real Sociedad can pull off another miracle.

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