Few regions in Spain, or anywhere in Europe, have picked up the knack for player development better than Basque Country.
Through two storied production houses Athletic Club, and Real Sociedad, a nearly endless procession of top-level players has emerged to take the Spanish footballing world by storm, while others still went on to dominate the scene in England, Germany, and Italy. 24-year-old Sociedad star midfielder Martín Zubimendi is another on that list.
A son of San Sebastian and a “lifer” at Sociedad, Zubimendi has emerged as an elite-level talent across the last three seasons at Anoeta Stadium, and unsurprisingly, interest in him has grown exponentially across the 2022-23 campaign where the local boy has been a key factor in Sociedad’s push for a return to the Champions League for the first time in a decade.
Both Barcelona and Arsenal have been reportedly on the hunt to secure Zubimendi’s signature in the upcoming summer window, but for the player himself, the possibility of moving away from his club, and city, are off the table.
Zubimendi on Barcelona & Arsenal new links: “I have never planned to leave Real Sociedad — I always say that. I love life here, at home, I’m so happy here”. ⚪️🔵
“The value of this club are same as mine so I feel very good, I always said that I’m happy”, told Marca. pic.twitter.com/dFv9h9GdKB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 10, 2023
Reports from yesterday detailed the reality that Zubimendi was out of Barça’s reach in the summer, but Arsenal and boss Mikel Arteta were seriously considering a move for the player as the club looks to bring in considerable reinforcements to continue their push for Premier League honors while hoping to leapfrog Manchester City.
Arteta and club technical director Edu Gaspar are expected to bring in key signings at center-back, forward, and in the midfield engine room. Midfield is a particular need in the summer after the Gunners were exposed for their lack of depth a number of times during the current campaign, and with the return of Champions League football to north London, improved depth in quality in the middle of the park is of vital importance.
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