Martin Zubimendi hardly needs to enhance his case for a move to a Premier League club — his accomplished cameo in Spain’s Euro 2024 final victory over England was enough to turn heads — but the midfielder will still have missed the opportunity to showcase his worth to a waiting audience.
The Real Sociedad No.6 missed Thursday evening’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie because of illness. He had been a fitness doubt having injured his hamstring at the weekend but it was a case of not one thing but another that prevented him from featuring.
The consensus amongst the locals is that these next few months will be Zubimendi’s last wearing the blue and white of Real Sociedad, the club he joined aged 12 and has made over 150 senior appearances for during the past five seasons.
Zubimendi was almightily close to a move away last summer had it not been for a charm offence that pulled on the heartstrings. Liverpool thought they had a deal for the midfielder wrapped up and, sources in Spain say, it went as far as Arne Slot speaking with him over a proposed transfer.
However, the 26-year-old was encouraged to stay by long-serving head coach, Imanol Alguacil, who gave him his debut in 2019, and the sporting director, Roberto Olabe, who is stepping down this summer. Both player and coach knew further offers would come from the top bracket of the Premier League, and possibly Real Madrid, so what difference was one more season going to make?
Trying to prise Zubimendi from his boyhood club has not proved easy. Take a stroll along La Concha beach, the biggest in Europe, and dart inland to frequent some of the 200+ Pintxos bars in the Parte Vieja and it becomes clear why he is reluctant to leave his hometown.
San Sebastián is very laidback and an enjoyable place to while away a few days; it is a city that leaves you refreshed and well nourished. But often the time comes for every player to step out of their comfort zone and perhaps Zubimendi now finds himself ready to take a path well trodden.
Alexander Isak, bought for €15million, was sold to Newcastle United for €70million in 2022 while Mikel Merino and Robin Le Normand were sold to Arsenal and Atletico Madrid respectively for a combined €67million last summer. These are only the latest players to have earned La Real sizeable sums after developing their craft at the club.
Perhaps nowhere else in Europe do they prize their local talent quite like they do so in the Basque Country. Neighbours Athletic Bilbao have a strong Basque-only policy that runs through the club, and although La Real are not quite as strict with the requirement for Basque heritage, they do place importance on it.
Zubimendi came to prominence in Euro 2024 final
Across five seasons in Real Sociedad’s first team, Zubimendi has proven himself to be a typically Spanish midfielder — intricate, hardworking and having an eye for a pass — but also quintessentially Basque. Similar, in many ways, to Xabi Alonso, another from this locale.
Zubimendi, who has been described as the ‘Gen Z Busquets’, fits into the mould that Spain’s previous No.6s have formed and saw his stock rise on the back of his second-half performance in the Euro 2024 final.
Replacing the injured Rodri at half time seemed an impossible task, but the substitute filled in so impressively it led to Luis de la Fuente, the Spain head coach, to declare that he had both the world’s best central midfielder — Rodri — and the “second-best” in Zubimendi.
Pass and tackle completion rates of 85 and 67 per cent this term certainly give credence to the opinion that the 26-year-old is one of the most accomplished players in his position.
He has scored one goal, in Real Sociedad’s opening game of the season, and provided two assists across his 33 appearances to date; but it’s his composure and control, ability to start moves from deep, and retain possession in tight spaces that make him stand out.
Should Zubimendi leave Real Sociedad it still could be with a silver lining. Alguacil’s team may have lost more games than they have won in the league this term, positioning them ninth in La Liga, but they face a decisive few weeks in the cup competitions.
They are a goal behind to Real Madrid midway through their two-legged Copa del Rey semi-final and, of course, travel to United on Thursday with their Europa League tie finely poised. The final being in nearby Bilbao and the opportunity to claim a Champions League berth are both motivating factors.
Winning the second trophy of his Real Sociedad career — following the Copa del Rey triumph in 2020 — would be a fitting way to depart.
Arsenal is seen as a favourable destination for Zubimendi. Mikel Arteta is not only a former No.6 himself but also from the same city as his transfer target. Arsenal’s current interim sporting director, Jason Ayto, is a son of San Sebastián, too. Such connections will no doubt be helpful.
Arsenal’s most pressing requirement in the summer transfer window is on the goalscoring front but it is hard not to argue that Zubimendi would significantly upgrade their ailing midfield department.
Next week’s return leg at Old Trafford should see Zubimendi back anchoring Real Sociedad’s midfield, it is a place he has called home for some time, but most likely not for much longer.