Arsenal set to sign £51m Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, with deal virtually completed to beat Liverpool and Man City for summer transfer - and Mikel Arteta wants a forward next
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Arsenal will land long-term target Martin Zubimendi at the end of the season, Mail Sport can reveal. The Real Sociedad star has been courted by Mikel Arteta for over 12 months and talks over a summer move are now at an advanced stage with sources indicating the deal is virtually completed.
![[Arsenal are bolstering Mikel Arteta's engine room once again with a highly-rated acquisition]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/11/94071845-14282281-image-m-60_1736853989601.jpg)
Despite Arsenal’s current need for forward incomings owing to long term injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, the Emirates club have focused their attentions on getting a deal in place for Zubimendi. Arsenal would like the midfielder to join immediately but Sociedad have insisted Zubimendi stays until the end of the season.
![[The Spanish star will leave Real Sociedad less than a year after rejecting a move to Liverpool]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/11/94071649-0-image-a-41_1736853231159.jpg)
Zubimendi chose to stay in Spain last summer despite varying degrees of interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, though it is understood the Gunners didn’t make a formal offer for the player during the previous window. There has also been interest in Zubimendi from Manchester City following the season ending injury suffered by Rodri.
![[Arsenal have struggled in front of goal of late - but have decided to splash out on a midfielder]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/11/94072133-14282281-image-a-63_1736854149737.jpg)
Arsenal are set to sign £51m Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, with the deal virtually done. Arsenal are bolstering Mikel Arteta's engine room once again with a highly-rated acquisition. The Spanish star will leave Real Sociedad less than a year after rejecting a move to Liverpool.
![[The Gunners' attacking issues only worsened at the weekend with the injury of Gabriel Jesus]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/11/94072525-14282281-image-a-69_1736854956264.jpg)
But Arsenal’s need for a new central midfielder ahead of next season has been heightened with Jorginho and Thomas Partey both out of contract at the end of the season and the club have accelerated their interest in Zubimendi. No final decision has been made regarding potential contract offers to Jorginho or Partey.
![[Zubimendi operates primarily as a No 6, which could see Declan Rice move further forward]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/14/11/94072215-14282281-image-a-64_1736854191666.jpg)
