Arsenal confirmed Zubimendi at midday on Sunday, with the Spaniard putting pen to paper for the Gunners on a five-year deal. The 26-year-old became Mikel Arteta’s second signing of the summer after Kepa Arrizabalaga, and will surely link up with the Gunners as they embark on their pre-season tour for the 25/26 campaign.

The Gunners aimed to sign Mikel Merino immediately and secure Zubimendi for the summer of 2025, a staggered £80 million-plus package masterminded by the then sporting director Edu Gaspar and assistant sporting director Jason Ayto.