Arsenal fans are counting down the days to see Martin Zubimendi arrive in North London, and the wait is almost over.
It was back in January that Arsenal agreed terms to sign Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, just months after rejecting the chance to join Liverpool.
The Spanish midfielder will arrive at the Emirates to bolster Mikel Arteta’s engine room, touching down as an instant replacement for the departing Thomas Partey.
Despite Arsenal offering Partey a new contract, the Ghanaian is set to leave as a free agent, leaving his spot in the starting XI vacant for Zubimendi to inhabit.
Martin Zubimendi has planned his Real Sociedad exit
The Euro 2024 winner is not the only central midfielder set to arrive at Arsenal this summer, as Christian Norgaard has agreed a transfer to N5 from Brentford.
Arteta’s midfield rebuild is in full flow after losing Jorginho, and soon, Partey.
Though Real Madrid attempted to hijack Zubimendi’s transfer, Los Blancos were unsuccessful and now, all that’s left to be done is to unveil the Spaniard, but when will that be?
Spanish outlet AS has shed some light on the player’s exit plan, with a date now confirmed with regard to when he would’ve left Real Sociedad by.
Sociedad expect the transfer to be made official in ‘the coming days’, but it’s understood that the midfielder will be an Arsenal player by July 7th.
This is because Zubimendi plans to leave his boyhood club before Sergio Francisco takes his first training session as manager, putting a timeframe on when the Gunners can expect to see the 26-year-old in red and white.
It’s already been raised that Zubimendi will wear the number 36 at Arsenal, with the Spain international’s arrival set to come at the perfect time for Arteta ahead of his pre-season plans.
Arsenal’s pre-season schedule
Arteta has placed a lot of emphasis on pre-season, as it’s understood that Arsenal want a striker signing for their tour.
It makes sense given how early the Gunners’ rivals have acted in the transfer window, with clubs in the top six making a statement ahead of what is set to be another dramatic title race.
- READ MORE: Arsenal pre-season tour 2025: Destination, confirmed fixtures, tickets, how to watch and more
Having Zubimendi on board for pre-season is essential for Arteta when considering how to line up his new-look squad, with a few fresh faces desired before the action begins.
Arsenal’s pre-season tour kicks off on July 19th in Singapore, where the Gunners will face AC Milan and Newcastle before heading to Hong Kong to face Tottenham.
The tour will give Arteta the chance to test his new signings against Premier League opposition, ahead of the 2025/26 campaign that must deliver silverware to N5.
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