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What would have to happen now for Martin Zubimendi’s move to Arsenal to collapse at the last minute

Charles Jones

Thu 5 June 2025 13:45, UK

Arsenal are yet to make a signing in this summer transfer window, but their first addition of the summer may not be too far away.

Indeed, it’s been reported that Martin Zubimendi is set to sign for Arsenal. However, this week, a spanner was thrown into the works.

Martin Zubimendi made some comments this week alluding to the fact he’d love to join Real Madrid under Xabi Alonso.

Arsenal fans weren’t happy after Zubimendi’s comments, but Arsenal themselves are calm about this situation.

Speaking on the Highbury Squad YouTube channel, Sami Mokbel has been discussing Zubimendi’s potential move to the Emirates, and he says that something unprecedented would have to happen for this deal to collapse now.

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Martin Zubimendi will join Arsenal unless something unprecedented happens

The BBC journalist shared the state of play around Zubimendi and Arsenal.

Mokbel remains very confident that this deal will go through, claiming that it would take something unprecedented to halt this transfer.

“My understanding of the Martin Zubimendi situation is that all of the relevant and necessary paperwork has been completed and signed,” Mokbel said.

“All that is left now is for Zubimendi to complete his medical. As I wrote last week, there’s no rush to have that medical. He has these Nations League games coming up, and because the paperwork is complete the deal is effectively done.

“Once that medical is complete the deal can be signed off and he can be announced as an Arsenal player.

“Look, I can’t see a way, because the pieces of the puzzle are in place it would take something unprecedented for this deal to not go through, and I don’t see that happening.”

Footballers who failed medicals

Mokbel says that something unprecedented would have to happen to prevent Zubimendi becoming an Arsenal player, but until he does that medical, nothing is confirmed.

Indeed, there are plenty of examples in football history of players failing medicals before moves to big clubs, and while everyone would hope that Zubimendi will get through his medical perfectly fine, there are unforeseen issues that can crop up.

Antonee Robinson and Kevin Danso are two current Premier League stars who’ve failed medicals at big clubs, while, historically, the likes of Loic Remy and Nabil Fekir have had big moves to Liverpool blocked too.

Most players do pass medicals with ease, but there are a few examples of players who have failed medicals in the past.