Arsenal are on the verge of completing the signing of Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad after agreeing to meet the midfielder’s £51 million release clause. The 26-year-old Spaniard has emerged as Mikel Arteta’s top midfield target this summer, as the club looks to strengthen its squad following three consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League.
Zubimendi’s arrival would mark a significant coup for Arsenal. The midfielder, who had previously turned down a move to Liverpool last summer, has recently been linked with Real Madrid, with the club’s new manager, Xabi Alonso, reportedly keen on bringing him to the Bernabéu. Alonso’s connection with Zubimendi goes back to his time coaching Sociedad’s reserve team. Despite this, Arsenal have managed to secure the player’s commitment after finalizing personal terms, with Zubimendi expected to undergo a medical soon. This move will reunite him with former Sociedad teammate Mikel Merino, who joined Arsenal last summer for around £32 million.
Negotiations over the payment structure for the release clause were a key hurdle, but these have now been resolved. Arsenal are poised to announce Zubimendi as their first official signing under the new sporting director Andrea Berta, who took over the role in March. Berta’s arrival has signaled a fresh approach to the club’s transfer strategy, with Arsenal already making moves to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
Berta’s initial moves have not been limited to midfield reinforcements. One of his early priorities was opening discussions with representatives of Nico Williams, the Spanish forward who has a release clause set at £58 million. Williams is among several attacking options Arsenal are exploring as they look to add more firepower to their frontline.
The club’s next major target is to bolster their attacking options further by securing a new centre-forward. Arsenal have identified Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig and Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP as their preferred choices. Last summer, Arsenal chose not to pursue Sesko, but the 21-year-old forward has recently expressed his desire to join a club where he can thrive and maximize his potential. Arsenal’s interest in both Sesko and Gyökeres underscores the club’s determination to strengthen its attacking depth.
Contract renewals are also high on Arsenal’s agenda. Key players such as Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Gabriel Magalhães are all entering the final two years of their current deals, prompting the club to push for extensions to secure their futures at the Emirates. Leandro Trossard is reportedly close to agreeing to a new contract, while the club is also in ongoing talks with promising academy talents Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri, ensuring a blend of youth and experience in the squad.
On the midfield front, Arteta remains hopeful that Thomas Partey will stay with the club. The Ghana international is out of contract at the end of June but is expected to sign an extension. If both Partey and Zubimendi remain at Arsenal, competition for midfield places will intensify, especially following the expected departure of Jorginho, who is likely to move to Brazilian club Flamengo. This internal competition could prove vital in maintaining Arsenal’s challenge at the highest level.
Overall, Arsenal’s summer transfer window is shaping up to be a busy one, with the club focused on adding quality signings and securing key players to build on their recent strong performances. The capture of Martín Zubimendi, combined with interest in forwards like Sesko and Gyökeres, and the renewal of existing talent, highlights Arsenal’s ambition to close the gap on the Premier League’s elite and mount a serious title challenge in the coming season.
