Arsenal appeared to be on the brink of pulling off a significant transfer coup, reportedly edging out rivals Liverpool and Real Madrid for the signature of Martin Zubimendi. The Spanish midfielder had been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates, and many fans anticipated an announcement confirming the deal.
However, as of now, no official transfer has been confirmed, and it seems that Zubimendi’s future is still uncertain. Reports suggest that a move to Arsenal is far from a done deal, with Real Madrid entering the fray as serious contenders.
Mario Cortegana, a Spanish journalist who covers Real Madrid for The Athletic, has stated that Zubimendi remains in talks with the La Liga giants. According to Cortegana, there are “growing conversations” surrounding the possibility of the 24-year-old moving to the Bernabéu. Real Madrid has a recent history of swooping in to hijack deals for Premier League-linked players, having successfully signed Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jude Bellingham, both of whom were initially linked with moves to Liverpool before ultimately making the switch to Spain.
Back in November, Zubimendi took a calm approach when asked about his future, keeping his cards close to his chest. He acknowledged the speculation but stated that he wasn’t allowing external chatter to affect him, saying:
“There will always be rumours, and now that January is approaching, there will be too, but I don’t waste energy on outside noise. I’m happy with the way I’m handling it, and I’m going to handle it.”
This statement reflects Zubimendi’s focus on the present, refusing to get distracted by transfer talk as he continues his work with Real Sociedad. His comments also reinforce his intention to carefully consider his options as suitors from across Europe continue to show interest.
As things stand, Arsenal’s hopes of securing Zubimendi’s signature might be in jeopardy, with Real Madrid looming as a potential destination. The battle between the Premier League and La Liga for one of Spain’s brightest young midfield talents is far from over, and it remains to be seen where Zubimendi will ultimately end up.
Arsenal fans, who were hoping to see the midfielder bolster their ranks, will have to wait and see how this saga unfolds.
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