Premier League side Arsenal are making moves to bolster their title ambitions for the 2025-26 season after confirming the signing of midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad on Sunday, as the club continues working on moves to bring in Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke.
The 26-year-old arrives from Real Sociedad after making 236 appearances in all competitions in the first-team and helping the Basque outfit to win the delayed 2019/20 Copa del Rey against city rivals Athletic Club alongside Mikel Merino, whom he reunites with in north London.
“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,“ Zubimendi said. “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.”
Sporting Director, Andrea Berta, added: “We are so happy to bring Martin to Arsenal and have a lot of pride in finalising this transfer. Martin was a key target for us and we all know that he is a perfect fit for our squad with the high quality he has.“
Zubimendi will wear the number 36 shirt at Arsenal and is expected to link up with his new teammates at the Sobha Realty Training Centre when the team report for pre-season imminently.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s side have reached an agreement on personal terms with Sporting Lisbon striker, Gyokeres, as well as Chelsea attacking midfielder, Madueke, with reports stating the Gunners are in talks with Sporting over a transfer fee while talks with Chelsea are expected to start soon.
According to The Athletic, the Premier League side are in advanced talks with Sporting for the Sweden international, who is determined to leave the Primeira Liga outfit this summer and has reached an agreement on personal terms with Arsenal for a five-year deal.
The 27-year-old scored 49 goals in 44 games for Sporting last season, helping the club to a second successive league title since joining from Coventry City in 2023 for €20 million. Gyokeres is expected to cost Arsenal at least €70 million.
As for Madueke, it may cost Arsenal up to €60 million to sign the England international, having also reached an agreement on personal terms with the 23-year-old although Arsenal are reported to be exploring moves for Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.
Rodrygo has only returned from injury but is looking for a spot in the starting line-up at the Santiago Bernabeu, which manager Xabi Alonso may be unable to deliver with the current form of youngsters Arda Guler and Gonzalo Garcia alongside Vinicius Jr., Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.
Arsenal would need to pay around €90 million to convince Real Madrid to let Rodrygo leave, and it is believed the Brazilian is prioritising a Premier League move with Arsenal in mind, having turned down interest from the Saudi Pro League for his signature.
Eze on his part will cost Arsenal around €75 million – his release clause – to cross London from Selhurst Park to the Emirates.