Arsenal have confirmed the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
Arsenal will pay a total of around €65million (£55m, $76.5m) for Zubimendi, more than his release clause — which was in the region of €60m (£51m) — after agreeing with Real Sociedad to pay for his transfer in instalments rather than in one lump sum.
The Spain international was in London last month to meet Arsenal officials and complete the formalities of his transfer to the north London club. The Athletic previously reported that Real Sociedad had expressed a preference for the deal to be completed after July 1 for accounting purposes.
“This is a huge moment in my career,” Zubimendi said upon his arrival. “It’s the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make.
“As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are.
“I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come.”
Controlling the tempo.
Martin Zubimendi is a Gunner ✊
Original music by Ezra Collective’s Femi Koleoso. pic.twitter.com/sYbDanRUnT
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 6, 2025
The 26-year-old is Arsenal’s second signing of the summer transfer window — after the appointment of Andrea Berta as sporting director in March — following the arrival of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.
Arsenal are in the process of finalising an agreement with Brentford to sign midfielder Christian Norgaard and are working on a deal for Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera.
Arsenal have also agreed personal terms with Noni Madueke as they consider making an approach to Chelsea for the winger.
Real Madrid admired Zubimendi but decided not to pursue a move for the player this summer.
Arsenal’s pursuit of the midfielder was reinvigorated when the clubs were in talks over Mikel Merino’s move to the Emirates Stadium a year ago, while Liverpool had attempted to sign the player in summer 2024.
Midfield was a target area for Arsenal to strengthen after Jorginho left for Flamengo last month and Thomas Partey departed as a free agent at the end of his contract.
Zubimendi came through the academy at Real Sociedad and made 236 appearances for the Basque club. Last season, he scored two goals and provided two assists in 36 La Liga appearances as La Real finished 11th.
He has played 19 times for the senior Spain side after featuring in the youth teams, scoring twice since his international debut in 2021.
Arsenal finished second in the Premier League in 2024-25 and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, but ultimately finished a fifth consecutive season without a trophy.
In addition to bolstering their midfield, the north London club have shown serious interest in Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko as they aim to recruit a striker before the new season.
What will Arsenal be getting from Zubimendi?
Analysis by Thom Harris
A player born and raised in a city captivated by the football of Xabi Alonso, coached by the man himself, playing where he once played — Zubimendi couldn’t be better placed to become the sport’s next great pivot.
For all the romanticism of his footballing upbringing — his destiny at the peak of the game — Zubimendi remains as grounded and as pragmatic as they come.
With more touches, passes and carries than any other team-mate, he inspired his boyhood club to Champions League qualification in 2022-23 (they reached the round of 16 last term) anchoring a technically gifted Real Sociedad midfield with intuitive defensive positioning and expansive passing from deep.
Generally, Real Sociedad like to start play from the back and they are not averse to playing short, risky passes around their own penalty area to lure the opposition in. Zubimendi is often the receiver, picking up the ball under pressure and facing his own goal.
It’s a role that requires not only immaculate technique, but quick and nerveless decision-making, ensuring the right pass — at the right speed, angle, and elevation — is played to allow his team-mates to progress the ball. It also needs confidence, but not too much, to occasionally look to sidestep the pressure himself.
Zubimendi is the cog between the defence and the midfield – the spare man Real Sociedad need to win these mini-battles and move into the space that has been created by their brave, press-baiting build-up.