Zubimendi’s Future: Real Madrid or Arsenal?

Real Madrid has reportedly entered into “intense” discussions with Martin Zubimendi, despite Arsenal’s strong interest in the player, according to The Athletic. The English publication suggests that a battle between Real Madrid and Arsenal for the Real Sociedad midfielder’s signature is likely to unfold next summer. Zubimendi, 25, has a release clause of 60 million euros in his current contract.

While earlier reports from the Daily Mail had indicated that Zubimendi was set to join Arsenal at the end of the season, with the London club ready to trigger his release clause, recent information from England suggests that Real Madrid has aggressively entered the race for the player’s signature. Respected transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano had previously reported advanced talks between Arsenal and Zubimendi for a potential move in the summer of 2025.

These reports caught Real Sociedad by surprise, with their sporting director Roberto Olabe previously stating that he didn’t foresee any unexpected departures. Zubimendi is a crucial player for Real Sociedad, having played 28 matches this season for a total of nearly 2300 minutes. His potential departure would force the Basque club to seek a high-quality replacement.

At 25, Zubimendi is considered one of the world’s best defensive midfielders and has attracted interest from top clubs. Last summer, teams like Liverpool and Barcelona were willing to pay his release clause, but the player chose to stay with Real Sociedad. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is a big admirer of Zubimendi and sees him as a priority signing, while Real Madrid is also in the market for a midfielder.

English sources suggest that Zubimendi’s departure from Real Sociedad is almost certain, but his destination remains unclear. While Real Sociedad has managed to retain key players in similar situations before, reports of Zubimendi’s interest in a new challenge seem to be gaining traction. Ultimately, the decision will rest with the player himself.