Manchester United do hold an interest in Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, according to The Telegraph.
The Red Devils are keen to strengthen their options in the middle of the park, and they have been in talks to sign Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain.
However, it is believed that Zubimendi is also on the club’s list of targets (along with Adrien Rabiot). Supporters on X are rather excited by the prospect of the Spanish international making the switch to Old Trafford:
God please let this be true
— Adam (@Idi0r1) July 19, 2024
Bring Zubimendi then we’re back
— cLipsBaBa 😈 (@Charley_clipz) July 19, 2024
This is the news I’ve been waiting for! He should be the DM we should be looking for not those ones! Bring him now
— Ghana Yesu (@GhanaYesu_) July 19, 2024
Bring Zubi pls
— El__Dusher 🇵🇸Jerseys 🔌 (@AbdullahiLawerl) July 19, 2024
Now this is more like it
— AC (@ceesay333) July 19, 2024
Yeesssssss, sign zubimendi over Ugarte
— Dan beste (@DanyAF12) July 19, 2024
There is a release clause in Zubimendi’s contract
Any team can sign the 25-year-old as long as they are willing to pay the €60m (£51m) buyout fee. Real Sociedad are unlikely to sanction his sale below that figure as they know the player is happy in San Sebastian.
Considering United are believed to have a limited transfer budget after shelling out on Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, player sales may be needed first before they make a bid for Zubimendi.
United could have competition from another Premier League club
Arsenal have been scouting the Spaniard for about eighteen months. They considered triggering his release clause in the 2023 January transfer window, only to pull back when they discovered that the player was unwilling to move midseason.
Since then, the Gunners have retained an interest but there are now suggestions that they could table an offer for Zubimendi’s teammate Mikel Merino instead, leaving the way clear for United.
Find out who is in Manchester United’s first-team squad for 2024/2025 season here