Real Sociedad chief urges Martin Zubimendi to SNUB Arsenal

Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay has played down speculation surrounding Martin Zubimendi's pending move to Arsenal.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for Zubimendi, who has a reported release clause of £51million, in recent months, and reports earlier this week claimed the midfielder was set for a medical.

All payment structures regarding a deal for the 26-year-old are said to have been agreed and Zubimendi is expected to become Mikel Arteta's first signing of the summer.

However, Sociedad chief Aperribay has now addressed the situation publicly and appeared to cast doubt on Zubimendi's move to the Emirates.

'Zubimendi is the only player we've spoken to,' he told reporters. 'Clubs have asked us, but no player has told us they want to leave.'

'We've told Martin to go to the national team calmly, to think about it, and we'd like him to stay.

'We know there are several options. Something may come to fruition or not... I don't see it happening in the short term. We don't see it that way, so we have to wait and see.'

A product of Sociedad's youth system, Zubimendi has gone on to play 236 times for the club, while he has represented Spain on 17 occasions.

He has long been regarded as one of the best midfielders in LaLiga and last summer was close to joining Liverpool, who came in for him after he helped Spain to win Euro 2024.

However, Zubimendi ultimately decided to stay at Sociedad after his boyhood club attempted to change his mind.

Despite Aperribay's comments, Zubimendi is still expected to join Arsenal, where he will reduce their reliance on Thomas Partey, who is in talks over a new contract.

This viewpoint was echoed by incoming Sociedad sporting director Erik Bretos, although he insisted the club do not have to sell the 26-year-old.

'I would love for him to stay at Real Sociedad for a lifetime, but at the same time, since he's so good, our duty in that case is to be prepared in case he ever leaves Real Sociedad,' he said.

'But I would also like to remember a little about what happened with him here last summer, and for me at least, it's something that will always stay with me and for which I will always be grateful.

'Sociedad have become strong in doing things well and not needing to sell. From what the board and the president tell me, that's the situation right now.

'What we're very clear about is that we want to improve the team, and we're clear that we'll be able to do so.'

Meanwhile, although Sociedad have claimed they don't need to sell this summer, they endured a difficult campaign in 2024-25.

Imanol Alguacil's side, who were knocked out of the Europa League by Man United in the last-16 stage, finished 11th in LaLiga, 24 points off the top five, meaning the Basque outfit won't play in Europe for the first time in six seasons in 2025-26.