'It's done': When Arsenal actually agreed personal terms with Martin Zubimendi with transfer 'very close'
Today at 04:15 AM
Arsenal appear to be close to securing a major signing for the summer.
Indeed, Arsenal are close to signing Martin Zubimendi, and it looks like the Spanish midfielder could be north London- bound in the summer.
Arsenal have targeted Zubimendi for ages, and according to Steve Kay, speaking on KS1 TV, the ball was rolling with this transfer a long time ago.
Indeed, according to the journalist, Arsenal have been on Zubimendi's trail for a long time, so much so that personal terms were agreed months ago.
Liverpool wanted Zubimendi in the summer, but, by that time, he’d already agreed personal terms with Arsenal.
The reporter claims that personal terms were actually agreed way back in March, stating that a deal is now done and ready to be confirmed at the end of the season.
Arsenal agreed Martin Zubimendi terms in March
Kay spoke about the Zubimendi deal and how this all came to be.
According to the journalist personal terms were actually agreed on this deal back in March, and that the only thing left to do is to sign on the dotted line.
"This is one that we've been on it for years. We know Arsenal love this player. We've said many times he's the number one signing. Liverpool nearly got him last year, but he decided he didn't want to go," Kay said.
"It's very close, Arsenal will sign him, they will trigger his release clause in the summer of €60m. Personal terms were agreed in March, but that is a normal thing with the player, that's the first thing you do. That was done long ago.
"There's not a lot to be done other than signing on the dotted line, and then Martin Zubimendi will become an Arsenal player. It's done, I'm saying it's done.
"He's special, he's special, speaking to a few people today what he is mainly is a single pivot in that number six mixed in with a bit of a box-to-box at the same time. He's excellent at playing through the lines, he breaks up play, he's fantastic."
How Arsenal could line-up with Martin Zubimendi
This is an exciting bit of news to hear that Arsenal are close to signing Zubimendi.
The Gunners are set to land the Euro 2024 winner at the end of the season, and this signing could completely change the blend of how this Arsenal team works.
As Kay says, Zubimendi is at his best as a single pivot in the midfield, so his arrival should free Declan Rice up to play in a more advanced number eight role.
Arsenal could change into a more traditional 4-3-3 from next season rather than a 4-2-3-1 with a double pivot including Declan Rice and Thomas Partey or Mikel Merino.
As we've seen in recent years with Rodri at Manchester City, a holding midfielder can completely change the make-up of a team, and Arsenal will be hoping that Zubimendi can do just that.
Arsenal have been so close to having what it takes to become Premier League champions in recent years, and with Zubimendi in the side, who knows? Perhaps next year could be the season Arsenal finally get over the line and win the Premier League.
