Gavi admits he would relish the chance to play alongside Martin Zubimendi at Barcelona as the La Liga champions join Arsenal in pursuit of the Real Sociedad midfielder.
Whoever said loyalty is dead in modern football?
Martin Zubimendi’s enduring – and very refreshing – commitment to the La Real cause feels like a welcome tonic to an era in which badge-kissing has come to mean less than a disgraced YouTuber’s grovelling, agent-penned apology video.
Zubimendi looks set to rebuff the advances of Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona and co; insisting last month that he hasn’t ‘even considered’ leaving a Sociedad side set to play Champions League football for the first time in a decade next season.
That has not stopped Barca from embarking upon a very public courtship of the 24-year-old enforcer, however. The departing Sergio Busquets himself named Zubimendi as potentially his ideal replacement at the Camp Nou recently, with Gavi now also speaking in glowing terms about one of European football’s breakout talents.
Martin Zubimendi ready to snub Arsenal and Barcelona
I respect him. I understand that he is at Real. If he wants to play for another team or Barca, he will decide what he will do,” the La Masia graduate tells Sport.
“Zubimendi is a top player. He would be a good replacement (for Busquets). I love him. But I insist, we have to respect him and Real Sociedad. We’ll see in the future.”
The £52 million-rated Zubimendi was asked specifically about those Arsenal links earlier in the year.
“Rumours, rumours,” he said, brushing off the speculation. “I told my agent that I didn’t want to hear anything, especially in the winter. Leaving Real Sociedad during the season we are having would be illogical.
“Here, I am very happy. I look forward to a quiet summer.”
Arsenal could move on from both Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka this summer, though their pursuit of West Ham United captain Declan Rice may be complicated by the England international’s eye-watering price-tag.
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