Arsenal transfer latest: Gunners target arrives in England to finalise summer move Arsenal transfer latest: Gunners target arrives in England to finalise summer move

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are reportedly close to completing their first major signing of the summer.

Arsenal are nearing their first major signing of the summer, with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi reportedly in London to finalize a €65 million transfer to the Emirates Stadium.

The 26-year-old Spanish midfielder, long admired by manager Arteta, is set to strengthen Arsenal’s squad for a serious Premier League title challenge in the 2025/26 season.

Zubimendi to Arsenal done?

Reports indicate Zubimendi was seen at Bilbao’s Loiu Airport on Sunday, heading to England to complete the move. Arsenal have agreed to pay slightly above his €60 million release clause, structuring the deal with staggered payments to comply with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Martin Zubimendi | IMAGOMartin Zubimendi Credit: Author

Real Sociedad requested the transfer be finalized after June 30 for financial reasons, potentially delaying the official announcement until early July.

Zubimendi, a product of Sociedad’s academy, made 236 appearances for the club, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists.

He was pivotal in their 2020 Copa del Rey triumph and helped secure Champions League qualification.

He is expected to replace the departing Thomas Partey.



Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o

FOOTBALLHe will dominate Ballon d’Or — Samuel Eto’o backs Ex-Monaco star to be ‘new Messi’

He will dominate Ballon d’Or — Samuel Eto’o backs Ex-Monaco star to be ‘new Messi’

Ifeanyi Ufomadu • 08:56 – 01.07.2025

Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o believes one player could dominate the Ballon d’Or for the foreseeable future.

Samuel Eto’o is Africa’s greatest footballer and arguably one of the finest strikers in football history.

The Cameroonian legend shone for several clubs, particularly Barcelona, where he elevated his game to a new level, winning trophies and scoring goals for fun.

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After retirement, Eto’o remained involved in football, and recently, an interview resurfaced where the ex-Inter Milan striker shared his thoughts on the future of the game and the Ballon d’Or.

Back in 2021, Eto’o spoke of Mbappe’s ability to dominate the game and win several awards.

“Kylian Mbappe is there and it has arrived at a good moment, in which Messi and Cristiano (Ronaldo), the gods of football, are in the twilight of their careers due to age, and Mbappe is arriving.

Mbappe is expected to win the European Golden Shoe || ImagoKylian Mbappe returned to the France squad for the first time in six months | ImagoCarlos Romero of RCD Espanyol commits a foul on Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid during the La Liga match between RCD Espanyol and Real Madrid played at RCDE Stadium on February 1, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. kpng Copyright: xPressinphotox

“I hope he will be the biggest for the next 10 or 15 years. He has everything to be this unique player that soccer needs after these two monsters.”

Mbappe would spend three further years with PSG, not winning either a Ballon d’Or or the Champions League before departing in 2024 for Real Madrid.

The France captain remains one of the best players on the planet, but is unlikely to claim this year’s prestigious award, with Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and PSG’s Ousmane Dembele seen as frontrunners.