Arsenal have completed their first major signing of the 2025/26 summer transfer window with Martin Zubimendi finally landing from Real Sociedad.
Mikel Arteta is pushing to launch a renewed Premier League title challenge in the coming months with Zubimendi highlighted as a key target since the start of 2025.
The Gunners have already wrapped up a deal to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea – to provide experienced back up to David Raya – but Zubimendi is the arrival Arsenal fans have been waiting for.
The Spain international infamously turned down a move to Liverpool last summer, as he wanted to stay in San Sebastian, and the La Roja playmaker was also targeted by Real Madrid.
He joins Arteta ranks at a crucial time, following the departures of experienced duo Thomas Partey and Jorginho, and he is expected to be an instant starter at the Emirates Stadium.
His arrival will mean changes in Arteta’s engine room but the boss is confident his fellow Basque midfielder will be decisive.
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Martin Zubimendi sets out immediate Arsenal mission
Zubimendi is not short on confidence over what he can bring to Arteta’s squad and the 26-yeear-old is excited for his next career chapter.
“This is a huge moment in my career. 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,” as per BBC Sport.
“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.”
Zubimendi leaves La Real after 14 years with the club, including seven seasons in the first team, with 236 appearances and 10 goals scored.
He lifted the Copa del Rey title with his hometown club in 2020 played a key role in Spain’s UEFA Euro 2024 final win over England.
Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal: Transfer fee, clauses, salary
Arsenal opted to push the deal confirmation into July to keep within Premier League Profit & Sustainability Rules [PSR}.
As part of Arsenal’s desire to pay the transfer fee over multiple instalments, the club agreed to pay over his £51m [$70m] release clause, with an up front outlay of £56m [$76.5m].
Signed and sealed.
The latest addition to our midfield has arrived 😍 pic.twitter.com/4pnz1Zrapd
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 6, 2025
The total cost could rise to £60m [$82m] based on performance-related add-ons – with this structure the only way Arsenal could avoid having to the pay the clause immediately – which was Real Sociedad’s initial request.
Zubimendi has signed a five-year deal in North London, until the end of the 2029/30 campaign, but there has been no confirmation of his salary.
Where does Zubimendi fit at Arsenal?
This is a key question for Arteta to solve and the Arsenal boss has been planning since the start of the summer with Zubimendi at the heart of his rebuild for 2025/26.
Arteta stuck firmly with a 4-3-3 system last season, with Partey dropping back as a midfield anchor, to allow Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice scope to push forward.
Zubimendi’s La Real flipped between 4-1-4-1 and a 4-2-3-1, with him as part of a two-man or single defensive pivot, and Arteta will not push for a major rejig.
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 Partey gap will be filled by Zubimendi, with Odegaard and Rice remaining in place, and his former teammate Mikel Merino used as a rotation option.
Zubimendi has a different skillset to Partey, and will look to offer more control in and out of possession, after finishing in La Liga’s top 10 for progressive passes last season.
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