Arsenal have finally ended Real Madrid’s hopes for Martin Zubimendi transfer with what Andrea Berta has just done

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Arsenal are set to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad this summer, beating rivals Real Madrid to the £51 million signing.

The midfielder has long been touted with a potential switch to the Premier League, as rivals Liverpool tried and failed to land the Spaniard last summer.

Instead, it seems as though the charm of Mikel Arteta has won Martin Zubimendi over, with Arsenal now lining up to announce the star as their new addition to the squad.

Arsenal’s transfer for Zubimendi has been bubbling away in the background for many months, with anticipation growing over his move to the Emirates Stadium.

There have been some concerns over a possible transfer hijack, though, with Andrea Berta working quickly to stop that from happening.

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Arsenal prepare Martin Zubimendi’s medical ahead of transfer switch

Martin Zubimendi has long been linked with a transfer to Arsenal, with it seeming an inevitability that the star would join.

The Gunners have planned next season around the signing of the 26-year-old, though there have been some concerns.

Mainly that Real Madrid could hijack the transfer for Zubimendi, following their long-tracked interest in his services.

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However, Andrea Berta appears to have snuffed out that possibility, as BBC Sport claims that Zubimendi is set for his Arsenal medical soon.

It’s claimed that all relevant documents have already been signed, meaning there is a “relaxed” feeling around the scheduling of things, with the deal seemingly done.

That puts an end to any hope for Real Madrid in securing a transfer hijack, meaning Arsenal’s first confirmed signing of the summer window is just around the corner.

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Martin Zubimendi deal is just the start for Andrea Berta at Arsenal

The transfer of Zubimendi to Arsenal will be the first deal of the summer, as well as the first of the Berta era, but it is only the start.

The move for the Spanish midfielder has been long in the works, with the Italian director yet to make his mark on the Arsenal squad.

A top-quality centre-forward is the bare minimum expected from the fanbase, along with a winger who can contribute to the lack of goals scored.

While Zubimendi doesn’t directly fix the issues with scoring goals, he will influence things in a more subtle way.

His ability in the build-up phase will allow for swifter movement from back to front, while his passing ability could dictate matches well.

He is much more of a replacement for Jorginho, who leaves Arsenal as a free agent this summer, than someone who will be a playmaker.

It means that it is just the start for the Gunners, who will still need reinforcing in all the right areas this summer.