Arsenal secure agreement in principle to complete summer signing, full agreement in place with player

Arsenal have secured an agreement in principle to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi when the summer transfer window opens, according to journalist and transfer insider Ben Jacobs.

There is a full agreement in place with the Spain international, with only formalities left between both parties.

Zubimendi is expected to become the first signing of Arsenal under new sporting director Andrea Berta this summer, but former sporting director Edu and his assistant (who later turned interim sporting director) Jason Ayto were the driving forces behind the deal.

Arsenal have an agreement in principle in place to sign Martín Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

Deal only pending formalisation. Although Arsenal are cautious given Zubimendi has changed his mind in the past, there is now a full agreement in place with the player.

Edu and Jason… pic.twitter.com/YehILsrhb9

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) May 9, 2025

While the 26-year-old is set to become their player, the North London club are cautious given that he has changed his mind in the past.

He had agreed to join Liverpool last summer before eventually opting to remain with Sociedad, and the Gunners will hope that does not happen again.

Zubimendi will be a direct replacement for Jorginho, with the Italian midfielder expected to join Brazilian top-flight club Flamengo on a free transfer.

Flamengo are hopeful of getting a deal done in time for the Club World Cup next month, with talks ongoing with the representatives of the Gunners midfielder.

Adding Zubimendi to their midfield is massive, and they also want to sign a new striker and a winger to bolster their attacking ranks after their shortcomings in the final third when it mattered most in all four competitions this term.

Arsenal are also reportedly close to signing Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia as a challenger to first-choice David Raya, and the deals for the Spanish duo could be wrapped up and made official as early as June.

The Gunners were left frustrated after coming close to glory in the Premier League and Champions League this season, and they need a solid summer transfer window if they want to avoid another disappointing campaign in 2025-26.

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