Arsenal move closer to €70m midfield deal despite Madrid interest | OneFootball

Arsenal Secure Pre-Agreement for Zubimendi in €70m Deal

Strategic move edges closer to completion

Arsenal’s pursuit of Martín Zubimendi appears to be in its final stages after AS reported that the club have secured a signed pre-agreement with both Real Sociedad and the player. The deal, which goes beyond the midfielder’s €60 million release clause, is expected to cost the Gunners €70 million, structured across three instalments.

The agreement, already signed, is subject only to timing and formalities. Financial Fair Play regulations and accounting considerations are reportedly the reason why the move will not be officially announced until after 1 July, when the new financial year begins.

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Real Sociedad’s consent marks turning point

Real Sociedad’s willingness to exceed the terms of Zubimendi’s clause is an acknowledgement of Arsenal’s good faith. The Basque club, having resisted interest from Liverpool last summer, made a promise to the Spanish international: if a compelling offer arrived, he would be allowed to leave. Arsenal’s bid, per the report, “is irresistible”.

“Few clubs in Europe are prepared to pay €70 million for a holding midfielder,” AS stated. “Arsenal are one of them.” It is understood that Mikel Arteta views Zubimendi as a critical component of his long-term project at the Emirates, with the Spanish tactician having “taken the decisive step months ago”.

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Player greenlights transfer

Zubimendi has also given his approval to the move, pending a medical. The midfielder’s only request, according to the report, is that Real Sociedad receive maximum value from his departure. After years developing at Zubieta and excelling in La Liga and for the national team, the move marks the end of a significant chapter for the academy graduate.

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The deal would only collapse under two conditions: if another club, notably Real Madrid, equals or surpasses Arsenal’s €70 million offer, or if legal disputes force compensations due to the signed documentation. Both scenarios are considered unlikely.

Arteta’s midfield vision gains momentum

Arsenal are said to be calm about their position. They expect Zubimendi to join pre-season preparations, with AS reporting that he is seen as “the beacon in midfield” for years to come.

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For Arsenal fans, this is the type of deal that underlines ambition and strategic planning. If this pre-agreement stands, Zubimendi represents not just a signing but a shift in the way the club operates in the transfer market — proactive, assertive, and precise.

There’s a reason Mikel Arteta views him as a midfield beacon. With Granit Xhaka long gone and Thomas Partey’s future uncertain, Zubimendi offers positional intelligence, consistency in possession, and a tactical profile that fits Arsenal’s evolving identity. Unlike some past Arsenal midfielders, Zubimendi doesn’t rely on bursts of form. He brings a stability that echoes the likes of Sergio Busquets — not flashy, but endlessly effective.

Supporters will also appreciate how this transfer was handled. Arsenal moved quietly but decisively, offering above the release clause out of respect for Real Sociedad, ensuring goodwill and closing the door to rivals. If Madrid want in now, they’ll need to move fast and spend big.

All signs point to Arsenal building something serious. Zubimendi is not just another signing. He could be the metronome of this team’s next era.