Featured Image Credit: The Overlap/Getty
Topics: Arsenal, Thierry Henry, Football
Nasir Jabbar
Thierry Henry has delivered his verdict on Martin Zubimendi after correcting Guillem Balague's comments about him amid Arsenal's pursuit.
Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Zubimendi, who is also attracting interest from Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old is liked by Real but did not pursue or actively work on recruiting him, according to The Athletic.
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Arsenal, on the other hand, believe a deal to bring him to the Emirates is regarded as being done and signed, per the report.
They will pay a total of around £55 million, which is more than his release clause (£51 million) - after agreeing with Real Sociedad to pay for his transfer in instalments rather than in one lump sum.
Zubimendi graduated from Sociedad's youth academy before breaking into the first-team.
He's a Spanish international, having made his international debut in 2021.
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He has already caught the eye of English fans, having impressed when he replaced Rodri in last summer's Euro 2024 final against England.
Spanish football expert Balague has shared his thoughts on Zubimendi and in doing so, he revealed what Henry told him about the star midfielder.
Balague holds Zubimendi in high regard and had him in his top three defensive midfielders in world football.
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While Henry is also a fan of the player, he convinced Balague to drop him to the top five.
"I remember the reaction in the England (fan, pundit) camp when Rodri got injured in the EC final. I thought, 'hold on, it is Zubimendi coming on!' Spain have got two very good players in that position," he wrote in a post on X, recalling the Euro 2024 final between Spain and England.
"I had a discussion with Thierry Henry about him," he added. "I put him in the top 3 in the world in that position, he convinced me to drop him to top 5, but in any case he is very very good. His passing might sound simple, but he generally chooses well the one pass to do.
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"He hardly ever loses the ball and that helps with fluidity and team confidence. He reads the game very well, without being the fastest midfielder - he has the puzzle of the team in his head."