Arsenal’s hopes of securing Real Sociedad and Spain midfield star Martin Zubimendi as a marquee signing have taken a significant hit, with reports suggesting that a rival club is making a serious push to land the player. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, has long admired Zubimendi, and after fending off competition from Liverpool, it seemed the Gunners were on the verge of completing the deal. The Daily Mail even described the transfer as “virtually completed.”
With Thomas Partey and Jorginho set to depart the Emirates when their contracts expire in the summer, Zubimendi appeared to be the perfect fit for Arsenal’s midfield rebuild. The move, originally expected to materialize in the summer, seemed logical given the club’s needs and Arteta’s tactical vision.
However, doubts emerged in Spain about whether the 25-year-old had fully committed to Arsenal. Now, fresh reports suggest that Bayern Munich is preparing to derail Arteta’s plans by making a move for Zubimendi.
Bayern Targets Zubimendi as a Replacement for Kimmich
Bayern Munich is facing the potential loss of Joshua Kimmich, who could leave on a free transfer in the summer, with Liverpool among the clubs monitoring his situation. To address this, Bayern has reportedly identified Zubimendi as a priority target, according to Fichajes.
“Zubimendi fits perfectly with the profile Bayern is seeking: a technically gifted midfielder with vision and defensive prowess to fill the void left by Kimmich. His experience in European competitions further enhances his appeal to elite clubs,” the report states.
A Double Blow for Arsenal
Bayern’s interest presents two major challenges for Arsenal. First, it reduces the Gunners’ leverage to negotiate Real Sociedad’s insistence on Zubimendi’s €60 million release clause, a figure the Spanish club is standing firm on. Second, Bayern poses formidable competition with their ability to offer an attractive financial package and the promise of competing at the highest levels of European football.
How Arsenal will respond to this new threat remains to be seen, but the battle for Zubimendi is shaping up to be a test of the club’s resolve in securing their priority target.
