For Arsenal, the beginning of the end of Zubimendi's signing began in the scorching heat of Spain's south coast as long ago as last June. In truth, though, the journey culminating in the midfielder's arrival at Emirates Stadium was spawned well in advance of the covert visit to Andalusia last summer. Mikel Arteta had watched Zubimendi extensively. He was taken by his ability to execute the full passing repertoire with precision and timing. A controller of matches, Zubimendi became an obsession for the Arsenal head coach. With that in mind, a delegation from the Emirates, including then sporting director Edu and his number two Jason Ayto, flew to Marbella for a meeting with counterparts from Real Sociedad. To greet them in Spain was Roberto Alabe, the La Liga club's then sporting director, and president Jokin Aperribay. For Edu and Ayto, the primary aim of their deployment was to strike a deal for Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, who was an immediate target for Arsenal. But then arrived the curveball. Arsenal's recruitment heads explained that, while they wanted to sign Merino before the 2024-25 season, they also had designs on midfield partner Zubimendi. But here was the catch - they wanted to sign Zubimendi in the summer of 2025. Their finances last summer would not allow them to do both. There was the added complication of Liverpool's interest in the 26-year-old. Recently appointed Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes had entered into negotiations with Sociedad over a move Zubimendi to the point where the Anfield club believed they were close to tying up the deal. However, sources have since indicated that, while the midfielder was attracted to a move to Merseyside last summer, he was apprehensive that the decision was too rushed, particularly in the middle of a European Championship summer. Working with Arteta - and being reunited with Merino and former Sociedad midfielder Martin Odegaard - was a prospect Zubimendi was captivated by. Equally, Zubimendi and his representatives made it clear they wanted to be respectful to Liverpool. The scenario of any news leaking of the Spaniard turning down a move to Anfield in favour of the Emirates was one all parties were keen to avoid. Nevertheless, Edu and Ayto departed Marbella with an agreement in principle for both Merino and Zubimendi. In terms of the Zubimendi deal, Arsenal expressed their preference to pay more than the player's £51m release clause in order to spread the cost of the fee. Release clauses in Spain require the purchasing club to deposit the agreed fee in full in one payment - a scenario Arsenal wanted to avoid. It is one of the reasons why Arsenal have not acted upon their interest in Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, who has a 58m euro (£50m) release clause. But, while the structure of the deal was verbally agreed in Marbella, there remained one major obstacle to overcome for Arsenal.