BREAKING: Arsenal Set to Announce £55 Million Midfield Signing Within 48 Hours
Arsenal are poised to confirm the signing of a top-tier midfielder in what will be their first major acquisition of the summer transfer window.
While the club has remained relatively quiet in recent weeks, it has become clear that significant work has been going on behind the scenes. Arsenal’s measured approach is now set to pay off, as they prepare to announce the arrival of a player expected to make an immediate and lasting impact. Mikel Arteta is about to land the type of midfield leader capable of transforming his side from title challengers into champions.
The Gunners are expected to finalize the signing of Martin Zubimendi within the next 48 hours. The 26-year-old Spaniard, widely regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe, has long been on Arsenal’s radar. He was also admired by the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Barcelona—but it is North London where he will now continue his career.
Though the deal has been in place for some time, the final formalities were only completed over the weekend. The delay in announcement reportedly stems from Real Sociedad’s desire to align the timing with financial reporting purposes.
Zubimendi’s €60 million (£51.7 million) release clause meant negotiations were relatively straightforward once personal terms were agreed. Arsenal chose to pay slightly more—around £55 million—in order to structure the deal across multiple seasons. Their strong relationship with Real Sociedad is said to have helped facilitate smooth negotiations.
This signing is part of a long-term vision. Arsenal began closely tracking Zubimendi over a year ago, and last summer’s interest in his teammate Mikel Merino opened the door to discussions. Arteta sees Zubimendi as a crucial piece alongside Declan Rice—offering tactical balance, intelligence on the ball, and composure under pressure. With the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho, Arsenal needed a new presence to anchor their midfield.
Zubimendi arrives with an impressive resume. A key member of Spain’s 2024 European Championship-winning squad, he was also vital in Real Sociedad’s resurgence, helping the club return to the Champions League and win the Copa del Rey. His blend of technical excellence, defensive reliability, and positional awareness makes him ideally suited to Arteta’s demanding tactical setup.
He is expected to be joined soon by Cristian Nørgaard, as Arsenal continue to overhaul their midfield core. However, the club’s plans extend well beyond that. Arsenal are targeting at least three attacking reinforcements, and technical director Andrea Berta is actively leading discussions across Europe.
If Zubimendi’s arrival is a sign of what’s to come, Arsenal are making a strong early statement this summer. The club’s intent is clear: to build a squad capable of going the distance in the Premier League and beyond.