Spanish club Real Sociedad has cast doubt on Martin Zubimendi’s transfer to Arsenal.
Real Sociedad’s president and technical director recently came out to suggest that the player could stay.
Speaking to the press during an interview, club president Jokin Aperribay revealed that despite interest from several top European sides, no Real Sociedad player, including Zubimendi, has communicated a desire to leave.
Jokin said that Zubimendi has been told to think carefully about the next step he would want to take for his career, and he has already joined up with the Spanish national team while he gives his future some serious thought.
According to him, he doesn’t see the Spanish midfielder reaching a definite conclusion anytime soon, but he can confirm that the club would love him to stay.
“Zubimendi is the only player we’ve spoken to. Clubs have asked us, but no player has told us they want to leave.
We’ve told Martin to go to the national team calmly, to think about it, and we’d like him to stay. We know there are several options. Something may come to fruition or not… I don’t see it happening in the short term. We don’t see it that way, so we have to wait and see,” he said.
Also speaking, Erik Bretos, who officially starts his tenure as Sociedad’s new sporting director this week, shared that the club does not have to sell any of its players to balance the books, so they are in a good place financially.
Erik maintained that he would personally love Zubimendi to stay at Real Sociedad for a lifetime, but the club would have to be ready in case he ever decides to leave.
“I would love for him to stay at Real Sociedad for a lifetime, but at the same time, since he’s so good, our duty in that case is to be prepared in case he ever leaves Real Sociedad.
But I would also like to remember a little about what happened with him here last summer, and for me at least, it’s something that will always stay with me and for which I will always be grateful.
Sociedad have become strong in doing things well and not needing to sell. From what the Board and the president tell me, that’s the situation right now. What we’re very clear about is that we want to improve the team, and we’re clear that we’ll be able to do so,” he added.
