In a surprising last -minute turn that has shaken the European signing market, Real Madrid officially kidnapped Martín Zubimendi’s almost complete transfer to Arsenal, snatching the talented Spanish midfielder just below the noses of the Gunners.
For weeks, it was reported that Arsenal had advanced conversations with the star of the Royal Society. Several sources indicated that the agreement was almost closed, and that Zubimendi was about to join the Mikel Arteta team in the Emirates, in what was expected to be a decisive signing for the Club of Northern London.
The personal terms had been allegedly agreed, and the Arsenal fans already celebrated the acquisition of one of the most promising midfielders in Spain, a player considered a long -term solution in the center of the field and an ideal partner for Declan Rice. It was said that the announcement was imminent.
But then it arrivedThe turn .
A few hours after the final confirmation,Real Madrid pounced on him. The president of the club, Florentino Pérez, personally authorized a last minute transfer, activating the Zubimendi termination clause and offering an irresistible, both financially and professionally, for the player. In a matter of minutes, the midfielder was on a private flight to Madrid, and the news ran like gunpowder.
According to reports, the decision was due to Madrid’s desire to add depth and youth to its rotation in the midfield, especially after the planned gradual departure of veterans such as Luka Modrić and Toni Kroos. Zubimendi, already an expert in LaLiga’s competition and known for his serenity, vision and intelligence, fits perfectly in the new generation that is being formed in the Santiago Bernabéu.
Sources close to Arsenal claim thatcoach Mikel Arteta was enragedupon learning of the kidnapping. After speaking personally with Zubimendi and having contributed to shape the project around him, Arteta feels betrayed and surprised both for the change of opinion of the player in recent moments and for the aggressive intervention of Real Madrid.
A nearby source said:«Arteta had already begun to design tactics with Zubimendi in the template. This is not just a loss, it is a strategic blow ».
The reaction of Arsenal’s fans has been quick and forceful. While some blame Zubimendi for breaching a verbal commitment, others point out the club’s inability to close the deal with enough speed. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s fans celebrates the play as another masterpiece of Pérez and a sign that the club is still unmatched when scoring last minute goals.
As for Zubimendi, the 25 -year -old has not yet talked publicly about his decision. However, Fuentes suggest that it was very influenced by the opportunity to compete in the Champions League to the highest level, play at the orders of Carlo Ancelotti and, over time, become a key figure in the next golden era in Madrid.
There are still weeks left for the transfers window, but with this spectacular turn, the message is clear:In football, nothing is done until it is signed, and nobody moves faster than Real Madrid .
