‘I want Champions league football’, Highly rated £80m best playmaker in Europe who was on the verge of joining Arsenal last week is now set to undergo Medical as new Real Madrid player Today after being told Arsenal have never won a champions league before – Huge blow for Mikel Arteta

admin_403zj6331 day agoLast Updated: June 5, 2025

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Martin Zubimendi has hinted that he could stay at Real Sociedad despite claims a transfer to Arsenal is already sealed this summer.

The Gunners are looking for a new midfielder this summer with Jorginho – who is definitely leaving – and Thomas Partey both out of contract at the end of June.

Arsenal are looking for upgrades in all departments this summer and Spain international Zubimendi was believed to be sealed ahead of the summer transfer market.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed in early May that Arsenal were on the verge of landing the Real Sociedad midfielder as he gave his famous ‘here we go’ confirmation to the deal.

Romano wrote on X: ‘Arsenal agree deal to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, here we go! Zubimendi has now verbally agreed to sign a long term deal… so formal steps must follow soon with Arsenal to trigger €60m clause. Zubi, ready to become the first signing of the new season.’

However, in an interview with Radio Nacional de Espana on Tuesday, Zubimendi insisted that his future is still up in the air.

When asked if there is a chance he stay at Sociedad another season, Zubimendi said: “Of course there are options, but it’s true that it seems like it’s going to be a different, long summer, and I don’t know how it will end.

“I don’t think thinking about it right now is my priority. I’m here with the national team, which I think is already quite demanding, and if I have to say something, then I will.”

Amid rumours that Zubimendi was completing a medical at Arsenal, the Spain midfielder posted a picture of himself on a beach in San Sebastian.

On rumours of the Arsenal medical, Zubimendi added: “It’s an example of what surrounds football.

“Many times I wake up in the morning and read things that I didn’t know I had done. That was a clear example.

“It’s true that I don’t take it very seriously, but anyway, I uploaded those photos to emphasise a little that it wasn’t exactly the reality that was happening.”

When asked about potentially joining Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid, Zubimendi continued: “I have always said that he was my idol and that for me it was lucky that he was able to coach me in the reserve team in a very important year.

“The following year I was already in the first team and, well, I don’t like to talk about those hypotheses, I prefer to talk about the present, because I also think that it would be disrespectful to answer from the national team training camp and before facing such an important competition.”