Mikel Arteta nears £51m Arsenal signing of Spain’s Zubimendi to fix midfield woes

Arsenal is on the verge of securing a £51 million deal for Spain international Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, aiming to bolster their midfield and overcome recent near-successes. The club has monitored the midfielder for two years, with manager Mikel Arteta a noted admirer.

Zubimendi, who has a €60 million (£52.3 million) release clause, is praised for his composure and team-oriented play. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente said, "he's a footballer who is a safe bet, always plays with a lot of calmness and tranquillity, always with great judgment... he has fantastic talent."

Former player and coach Xabi Alonso added, "Martin’s a player all coaches would want... He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself."

Arsenal, who have not won a major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup, finished runners-up for the third consecutive season last term and reached the semi-finals of both the Champions League and Carabao Cup. The £51 million signing signals Arteta's intent to address midfield weaknesses early and push the club beyond the 'nearly men' tag.

This strategic move reflects Arsenal's ambition to convert consistent high finishes into silverware, with Zubimendi expected to bring stability and quality to the heart of the team.

Key stats:
- Zubimendi's release clause: €60 million (£52.3 million)
- Arsenal's last major trophy: 2020 FA Cup
- Three consecutive runner-up finishes last season
- Semi-final appearances in Champions League and Carabao Cup last season

Arsenal is close to signing Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for £51 million to strengthen their midfield. Manager Mikel Arteta, a fan of the player, aims to address the club’s recent near-misses, with Zubimendi praised for his calmness and team play by Spain’s coach and Xabi Alonso.