Former England defender, Jamie Carragher, has claimed that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta played a key role in derailing Liverpool’s pursuit of Martin Zubimendi.
Liverpool, fresh off their Premier League title win, were keen to bring the Real Sociedad midfielder to Anfield last summer.
However, Zubimendi turned down the move, and earlier this summer, he instead completed a £60m switch to Arsenal.
Reports suggested Arsenal had an agreement in place for the 26-year-old as early as January, and Carragher insists it was Arteta who convinced his compatriot to reject Liverpool and wait for the Gunners.
‘I’m convinced now that Mikel Arteta definitely stole him from Liverpool,’ Carragher said on the Stick to Football podcast. ‘He had agreed to come to Liverpool.
‘He said he was coming – and at the last minute he said, “I don’t want to come. I’ll have another year [at Sociedad].”
‘Mikel Arteta’s from the Basque area. There’s no doubt he’s been into him and said, “We’re signing [Mikel] Merino this season, we’ll come for you next season”.
‘The deal was done about halfway through the season. Arteta definitely stopped [Liverpool’s] deal.
‘That’s why Zubimendi didn’t go to Liverpool. I think Arteta got into him. Listen, I’m not having a go at him, that’s just management.’
Highly rated by Arsenal supporters, Zubimendi made over 200 appearances for Sociedad and was part of Spain’s Euro 2024-winning squad.
He is one of six new arrivals at the Emirates this summer, alongside Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Cristian Mosquera.
While much of the spotlight has been on £64m striker Gyokeres, ex-England midfielder Danny Murphy believes Zubimendi could prove just as vital.
“Gyokeres is a powerhouse and he is going to score a lot of goals, there is no doubt about that,’ Murphy told BBC Sport.
“But Zubimendi is just as important a signing because Thomas Partey was such a big player for them in midfield last season.
“With Jorginho going too, bringing in Christian Norgaard was a clever bit of business.
“He is a really clever footballer, who does his defensive work really well. They will be there or thereabouts again.”
Arsenal kick off their Premier League season on Sunday with a visit to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
