Arsenal ‘agree deal’ to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad but fans have big doubts over £50m transfer
ARSENAL have “agreed a deal” to sign Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have been keeping tabs on Zubimendi, 26, since last summer following a raft of impressive displays with Sociedad and have beaten Real Madrid to his signature.
And according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the North Londoners have finally agreed to meet the midfielder’s release clause worth a whopping £50million.
Mikel Arteta‘s side will now have to take “formal steps” to meet the player’s expensive asking price.
The Spain international has also reached a verbal agreement with the Premier League giants.
Zubimendi is now set to sign a “long-term” deal and become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer.
However, some fans are not too excited about the defensive midfielder’s arrival at the Emirates.
That is because Arsenal supporters have been crying out for an elite centre-forward for the last three years.
In fact, many fans and pundits have insisted that is the last piece of the puzzle which will finally lead them to their first Premier League title in 21 years.
And many have blamed the lack of a quality striker as the reason why Arteta’s side are likely to finish as runners-up for the third season in a row.
One fan tweeted: “Another midfielder. Do they recognize that they went trophyless without a striker? Lmao.”
Another commented: “Striker???”
A third wrote: “Misplaced priorities. Arsenal need a proper number 9, not a midfielder.”
This fan said: “Everyone: Arsenal still needs a CF – Arteta: Give me my 5th DM.”
And another stated: “A striker should be the next target please!”
Nevertheless, many Arsenal fans also understand the significance of this signing as Zubimendi is one of the most highly-rated midfielders in the world.
Furthermore, Thomas Partey’s future is uncertain with his contract running out in June.
And Arsenal beat interest from Real to attract the world-renowned prospect, which poses as a major coup.
According to Foot Mercato, incoming Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, who quit Bayer Leverkusen and is expected to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Santiago Bernabeu, wanted to sign Zubimendi.
The same source claims Alonso asked Los Blancos’ president Florentino Perez to sign the No6 and help Leverkusen star Jonathan Tah follow him to Spain.
Arsenal ratings v PSG
ARSENAL'S Champions League dream ended in tears as they failed to revolt against Paris Saint-Germain in Paris.
The Gunners came flying out of the blocks and tested Gianluigi Donnarumma early, but it seemed it was going to be one of those nights from the get go. And so it proved.
Despite early pressure, Arsenal found themselves behind following a Fabian Ruiz volley.
Achraf Hakimi then added a brutal second mere moments after David Raya had kept Arsenal in the tie by denying Vitinha from the penalty spot.
But Bukayo Saka, who had been denied all night by old nemesis Donnarumma, finally bested the Italian in the 76th minute when he made the most of a deflected cross to round him and fire into the net.
With the deficit on the night halved, Saka then had the chance to level the score as he was found free in the middle with an open goal at his mercy.
But the winger was unable to keep the ball down once he made contact and saw his effort sail miles over the bar.
PSG then saw out the result without further worry to book their spot in the Munich final against Inter Milan.
Here’s how SunSport’s Jordan Davies rated the Gunners in Paris.