BREAKING: Arsenal Set to Announce £55 Million Midfield Signing Within 48 HoursPublished July 2, 2025Arsenal are on the verge of confirming the arrival of their first major signing of the summer: elite midfielder Martín Zubimendi.
While the club has remained quiet publicly during the early stages of the transfer window, much work has been underway behind the scenes. Arsenal have been preparing for what they hope will be a transformative summer, and this signing is expected to send a strong signal of intent.
With careful long-term planning and elite-level scouting supporting the move, manager Mikel Arteta is set to land a midfield anchor capable of elevating his squad from contenders to champions.The Gunners are expected to confirm the acquisition of Martín Zubimendi within 48 hours.
The 26-year-old Spanish international is widely considered one of the top holding midfielders in world football. Despite interest from Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Barcelona, the midfielder has chosen to join Arsenal.
The agreement has reportedly been in place for some time, with final details wrapped up over the weekend. The announcement was delayed primarily to accommodate Real Sociedad’s accounting schedule, making the timing more favorable for the Spanish club.Zubimendi’s €60 million (£51.7 million) release clause made the process relatively straightforward once personal terms were settled.
Arsenal even chose to pay slightly above that figure — around £55 million — in order to structure the payments over multiple years.
Their strong working relationship with Real Sociedad helped facilitate the transaction.Arsenal have been monitoring Zubimendi closely for over a year. Initial interest in Mikel Merino last summer opened the door to discussions around Zubimendi.
Arteta sees him as a long-term partner for Declan Rice, someone who brings balance, composure, and control to the midfield.
With Thomas Partey and Jorginho both set to depart on free transfers, this move addresses a significant need in the squad.Zubimendi arrives with significant experience and accolades. A European Championship winner with Spain in 2024, he was also pivotal in Real Sociedad’s rise in recent seasons, helping them return to the Champions League and win the Copa del Rey. His blend of tactical intelligence, technical quality, and defensive strength makes him an ideal fit for Arsenal’s demanding, possession-based system.The Spaniard will soon be joined by another midfield addition, with Cristian Nørgaard also expected to arrive from Brentford. However, the midfield overhaul is just one part of Arsenal’s broader transfer plan.
The club intends to bring in at least three attacking players, with new sporting director Andrea Berta spearheading negotiations across Europe.
If Zubimendi’s signing is any indication, Arsenal’s ambitions this summer are clear and serious.
