Arsenal look set to secure a very key signing in the near future.
The January transfer window may be open, but Arsenal are already doing business for the summer.
Indeed, Arsenal are said to be closing in on a deal for Martin Zubimendi.
Zubimendi was linked with Liverpool recently, but Arsenal have wanted Zubimendi for a long time too.
Arsenal look to have won the race for the Spanish midfielder, and while the January window is open, the Spain international isn’t set to arrive until the summer.
This deal appears to have accelerated quickly, and according to Fabrizio Romano, Mikel Arteta played a key role in getting this deal going.
- READ MORE: What Ian Wright has said about Martin Zubimendi as Arsenal agree £50.5m deal with Real Sociedad
Mikel Arteta’s role in signing Martin Zubimendi
According to Romano, Arteta played a key role in getting this deal moving.
Indeed, the journalist says that Arteta was a key factor in this transfer.
It does make sense for Arteta to play a key role in this deal.
Indeed, Arteta knows Real Sociedad well having spent time at the club as a player, while Arsenal have dealt with Sociedad in recent years.
| Arsenal deals with Real Sociedad | Fee |
| Kieran Tierney to Real Sociedad | Loan |
| Mikel Merino to Arsenal | £25m |
| Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal* | £51m |
Mikel Arteta’s growing influence at Arsenal
Arteta has played a key role in the talks with Zubimendi, and this seems to be a growing trend.
Arteta personally called Riccardo Calafiori before he signed in the summer, and it looks like the Arsenal manager is getting ever-more involved with transfers.
Edu used to be Arsenal’s key transfer man, but Edu is leaving Arsenal soon, and, according to Duncan Castles, Edu’s decision to leave was linked to Arteta’s growing influence.
“Arteta went into the season in his strongest position of power ever at the club, having been handed a new three-year contract in September,” Castles said.
“That contract, I’m told, was one of the key reasons why Edu resigned his position as sporting director to take up a broader position with Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis, the multi-club group, because he wasn’t happy with Arteta’s increasing authority at the club.”
Arteta’s power at Arsenal is growing, and the manager has flexed that power once again here as Arsenal close in on the signing of Zubimendi.
A deal is yet to be officially confirmed, but, by the sounds of things, Arsenal will be signing the Euro 2024 winner in the summer.