Arsenal agree deal to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi

Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign long-term target Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, according to a report.

The Gunners have been admirers of Zubimendi for a considerable period with links to the 26-year-old Basque midfielder emanating last summer.

Rumours resurfaced of Arsenal's pursuit for Zubimendi in the January transfer window, but the player opted to see out the season in San Sebastian before considering his options at the end of the campaign.

But as per a report from Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have made a breakthrough in their quest to sign Zubimendi after triggering the Spaniard's €60m release clause.

Zubimendi's acquisition will be the first signing made by the club's new sporting director Andrea Berta, who assumed the position following the departure of Edu and Jason Ayto's brief interim stint.

At the beginning of last season, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta experimented with one holding midfielder playing behind two more advanced playmakers, but later returned to a more conventional 4-2-3-1 formation, with Declan Rice and Thomas Partey operating at the midfield pivot and Rice given licence to move into advanced areas.

Partey’s contract expires at the end of the season and the club aren’t expected to offer a renewal, meaning a new defensive midfielder is a must.

While Zubimendi would be expected to operate deeper in midfield, he’s a less combative holding midfielder than Partey and would shoulder more of the playmaking responsibilities.

Zubimendi has evolved into one of Europe's most coveted midfielders after helping Real Sociedad establish themselves in the upper echelons of La Liga and featuring in Spain's Euro 2024 success.

Progressing through Sociedad's academy from 2011, Zubimendi made his senior debut in 2019 and has amassed over 200 appearances for the Reale Arena outfit.

The central midfielder also flaunts a wealth of experience on the international stage after chalking up 17 caps for Spain since 2021.

• Martin Zubimendi: Position, style of play, stats & more

Jaquob Crooke

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