SM
Ipswich vs. Man United: 9 hrs 24 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Arsenal, Barcelona crushed as £50.7m midfielder confirms transfer stance

:Headline: Arsenal, Barcelona crushed as £50.7m midfielder confirms transfer stance:
Arsenal and Barcelona-linked midfielder Martin Zubimendi rules out a summer exit from Real Sociedad, forcing his two suitors to look elsewhere.
Sports Mole

Arsenal and Barcelona-linked midfielder Martin Zubimendi has made his feelings clear on whether he intends to seek an exit from Real Sociedad this summer.

The 25-year-old is believed to be at the centre of a heated transfer battle between the Gunners and the Blaugrana, both of whom are after reinforcements in the defensive midfield position.

Zubimendi has risen to prominence in his homeland over the past few years and now boasts eight goals and seven assists in 188 games for Sociedad, while also becoming a fully-fledged member of the Spain squad.

Zubimendi has played twice for Luis de la Fuente's side during their run to the Euro 2024 semi-finals - starting the 1-0 group-stage win over Albania - although he is behind Rodri in the national team pecking order.

Under contract at Sociedad for another three years, Zubimendi is understood to have a €60m (£50.7m) release clause in his deal with Imanol Alguacil's side, a fee that should not prove problematic for Arsenal.

Zubimendi reveals he will stay at Real Sociedad

Despite their long-running financial problems, Barcelona would seemingly be able to afford a deal too, as president Joan Laporta has claimed that his side have the financial means to pull off a deal for Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, who would cost about the same.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are also said to have taken a liking to Zubimendi, although the German giants are instead on the verge of wrapping up a deal to sign long-term target Joao Palhinha from Fulham.

Now, Zubimendi's other suitors will seemingly be forced to concede defeat in their efforts to capture the 25-year-old, who has revealed that he plans to continue at Real Sociedad next season.

"Where am I going to play next season? I'm going to be at Real Sociedad. I have a contract with Real Sociedad and that's where I feel most comfortable," the midfielder told El Diario Vasco, via Estadio Deportivo.

Zubimendi already boasts one Copa del Rey triumph from his time at Sociedad, whom he joined at the age of 12, and both Barca and Arsenal must now move on to alternative targets.

Arsenal to move for Zubimendi teammate after rejection?

Zubimendi's recent comments means that Arsenal can cross another name off of their number six list, and Mikel Arteta could very well respond by abandoning his search for a defensive midfielder entirely.

The Gunners boss deployed Declan Rice further forward last season to brilliant effect, but the £105m Englishman could revert to a more deep-lying position if Arsenal pull off a deal for Mikel Merino.

Zubimendi's Sociedad teammate made himself a national hero by scoring Spain's extra-time winner against Germany in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, and he is believed to be of interest to Arsenal and Arteta.

Merino previously had a brief spell in English football with Newcastle United during the 2017-18 season, but he scored just one goal and set up one more in 25 games during a disappointing spell. body check tags ::

amp_article__547795 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-07-09 19:57:16:
html db last update - 2024-07-09 19:57:16 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Martin Zubimendi

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
AM
Read Next:
Arsenal 'rejected by £51.2m midfielder' in early transfer blow
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Martin Zubimendi Luis de la Fuente Imanol Alguacil Rodri Nico Williams Joan Laporta Joao Palhinha Mikel Arteta Mikel Merino Declan Rice Football
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Arsenal 'rejected by £51.2m midfielder' in early transfer blow
Title blow! Man City lose five in a row as four-goal Spurs dismantle the champions
"He's been unfairly judged" - Have the critics been too harsh on Arsenal's Merino?
Aston Villa to rival Newcastle for Kieran Tierney?

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton11119721-144
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Sunday's Premier League predictions including Ipswich Town vs. Man United

NEW

1

SP

European escape: National champions 'escalate' pursuit of Chelsea contract rebel

2

EE

Sunday's Turkish Super Lig predictions including Besiktas vs. Goztepe SK

NEW

3

ST

Sunday's Eredivisie predictions including Ajax vs. PEC Zwolle

NEW

4

SE

'Not good enough': Man United chiefs have 'serious doubts' over summer arrival

5

'G

Flick stunned! Ten-man Barca pegged back by Celta late on in Vigo

6

FS

Team News: Ipswich vs. Man Utd injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

7

TN

Another Ruben reunion? Man United add 'fan favourite' to left-back shortlist

8

AR

Why Liverpool have a psychological edge over Manchester City in the title race

9

WL

How could a Liverpool coach help star seal shock 2025 transfer?

10

HC


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .