Martin Zubimendi: Real Sociedad president offers fresh update amid surge of Arsenal speculation | OneFootball

Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay appears increasingly resigned to losing Martin Zubimendi in little over a month's time, amid growing expectation the midfielder will join Arsenal.

Zubimendi ultimately turned down a move to Liverpool last summer in favour of staying with his hometown club for at least another year. But he seems to have reached the point where a transfer to a bigger stage is inevitable and Arsenal are heavy favourites.

Aperribay's latest update doesn’t dismiss the accelerating rumours either.

"We'll see what happens," the president told Radio MARCA Donostia.

"All I ask of [Zubimendi] is one last effort to qualify for Europe and whatever happens, will happen in June. There's no point in speculating now about whether he'll be there. He's had several opportunities to leave and he'll make the decision he wants, because he'll have more options."

Aperribay explained that his recent interactions with Zubimendi have focused on football and finishing the season strongly, rather than the transfer saga, with Real Sociedad mid-table but still within striking distance of Europa League or Conference League qualification.

Zubimendi turned down Liverpool in 2024 and is coveted by Real Madrid / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages

Zubimendi's €60m (£51m) release clause is an attractive number for Arsenal. It removes the need to negotiate with Sociedad and leaves the decision entirely up to the player himself.

"I don't know if it's difficult for him to stay," Aperribay continued. "We haven't tried to raise the clause. Contracts aren't negotiated like that. It's more a matter of willpower. If he wants to continue, the conversation will last five minutes. I don't know if it's difficult."

Arsenal were reported last week to be Zubimendi's preference over Real Madrid. Cadena SER has also now claimed that when Gunners officials met with Madrid counterparts for pre-match niceties ahead of the recent Champions League quarter-final, they let their Spanish rivals know that they believed a deal to sign Zubimendi to be "practically finalised".

Arsenal spent a significant chunk of money on another Real Sociedad midfielder, Mikel Merino, last summer. But Merino has found himself utilised as an emergency forward, while Jorginho's time at the Emirates Stadium is also drawing to a close ahead of an expectation he will return to Brazil.

An added lure could be Mikel Arteta, who, like Zubimendi, also hails from San Sebastian and was himself briefly a Real Sociedad player prior to a career-defining spell at Everton.