Sky: Zubimendi signed with Arsenal for 5 years, Arteta convinced him to wait for another year last year

According to Sky Sports, Zubimendi signed a five-year contract with Arsenal.

Official news, Arsenal signed Real Sociedad's 26-year-old Spanish midfielder Zubimendi. Zubimendi agreed to join Arsenal in March this year, and he signed a five-year contract.

Sky Sports said that Zubimendi's pre-deal agreement is crucial to Arsenal because Real Madrid showed a strong interest in Zubimendi after Alonso took office. Liverpool also became interested in Zubi Mendy last summer, but he refused the transfer and chose to stay at Real Sociedad.

Arsenal negotiated Zubimendi's transfer last summer and listed him as the number one target. It is understood that Arteta played a key role in persuading Zubimendi to wait another year before joining Arsenal.

Last summer, Arsenal approached Real Sociedad to sign Zubimendi and Merino, but Real Sociedad did not want to lose the pair of midfield partners in the same transfer window. It is understood that Arsenal has proposed a solution: Merino joins in 2024 and Zubimendi joins in 2025.

Brentford captain Nolgao may join Arsenal with Kepa and Zubimendi, who reached a transfer agreement of £15 million last month, and Chelsea expects Arsenal to offer a offer for Maduaike.