Arsenal are seemingly on the verge of announcing deals for Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga, with both set to be in pre-season training next week.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Kepa Arrizabalaga of AFC Bournemouth reacts during
Charles Watts reports on his YouTube channel that Arsenal announcements for the signings of Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga are expected “certainly by the end of the week”, and perhaps much sooner.
Watts adds that pre-season training is set to start next week, and both Zubimendi and Kepa will be there for that.
Ideally, the Gunners would have made both deals official by then, so that the club are free to share content involving the two players taking part in their first training sessions with their new teammates.
MUNICH, GERMANY: Martin Zubimendi of Spain celebrates scoring his team’s first goal the UEFA Nations League 2025 final match between Portugal and Spain at Munich Football Arena on June 08, 2025. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images
Zubimendi travelled to London over the weekend to conclude his transfer, with Arsenal paying slightly more than his €60m release clause to allow them to pay in instalments.
Paying the clause would have meant offering €60m in one go, but the Gunners will instead pay around €66m (£56.5m) over multiple years.
Reports have suggested that Arsenal and Real Sociedad wanted to delay the official announcement until July for financial reasons, allowing both clubs to include it in their 2025/26 accounts. Now that it’s July, there’s no reason to delay any longer.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Kepa Arrizabalaga of AFC Bournemouth reacts during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and AFC Bournemouth at Craven Cottage on December 29, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
As for Kepa, that deal is more recent, with Arsenal only completing the formalities in the last week or so. So it’s no real surprise it’s taken a few more days to get all the paperwork sent off and the announcement videos ready.
The goalkeeper will join from Chelsea for his £5m release clause, and he’ll compete with David Raya for starts in 2025/26.
As of now, **Arsenal appear to be very close** to completing and announcing the signings of **Martin Zubimendi** from **Real Sociedad** and **Kepa Arrizabalaga** from **Chelsea**, according to reliable Arsenal journalist **Charles Watts**.
Here’s a breakdown of the current situation:
—
## ✅ **Martin Zubimendi Deal – Near Completion**
* 🔁 **Transfer Fee**: Arsenal are paying **slightly more than Zubimendi’s €60m release clause** (around **€66m / £56.5m**) in **instalments**, allowing more financial flexibility.
* ✈️ **Player Status**: Zubimendi **has already traveled to London** and completed final stages of the deal.
* 🗓️ **Announcement Timing**: Deliberately delayed until **July 1** for **accounting reasons** — so both Arsenal and Real Sociedad can include it in the 2025/26 financial year.
* 📅 **Expected Announcement**: **Before the weekend**, possibly within **48 hours**.
* 📍 **Squad Integration**: He is expected to **join Arsenal’s preseason training next week**.
—
## ✅ **Kepa Arrizabalaga Deal – Final Paperwork Stage**
* 🔁 **Transfer Fee**: Arsenal will activate Kepa’s **£5 million release clause** from Chelsea.
* 📑 **Status**: Deal was finalized only **recently**, with paperwork and announcement media currently being prepared.
* 🔄 **Role**: Kepa will **compete with David Raya** for the No. 1 spot in 2025/26. Aaron Ramsdale is still expected to leave.
* 📸 **Announcement**: Expected **before or during** the first full week of preseason training.
—
## 📌 Summary
| Player | Club From | Fee | Status | Role at Arsenal |
| ——————— | ————- | —————— | ———————————- | —————————— |
| **Martin Zubimendi** | Real Sociedad | €66m (instalments) | Deal agreed, announcement imminent | First-team starter in midfield |
| **Kepa Arrizabalaga** | Chelsea | £5m | Paperwork being finalized | Competing GK with Raya |
—
Would you like **live updates** when Arsenal officially confirm either transfer?
