Arsenal is close to completing a deal to sign Spain international midfielder Martin Zubimendi for a fee of 60 million euros (68 million US dollars) from Real Sociedad.

Both the Spanish and UK media report Zubimendi is in London to have his medical check, with the deal expected to be completed in the coming hours.

He will be the second Spain international midfielder to join Arsenal from Real Sociedad in a year after Mikel Merino made the same move in the summer of 2024.

Whereas Merino is used to playing a more advanced role and even ended the season playing as a striker, Zubimendi tends to play in just ahead of the defense in a holding role, although he is capable of pushing further upfield.

Arsenal views him as a replacement for Thomas Partey, who is currently the only true holding midfielder at the club.

26-year-old Zubimendi progressed through the Real Sociedad youth system, making his first team debut at the end of the 2017-18 season, becoming established in the first team in the 2020-21 campaign.

He has made 232 first team appearances, scoring 10 goals, while he has also played 17 times for Spain.

Real Madrid were also interested in signing the midfielder, who nevertheless has preferred a move abroad out of respect for the fans of the club he has so-far represented all his career.