Medical Completed: Arsenal long-term striker transfer target has finally completed his medical to join Arsenal as the Gunners offered 5yrs transfer deal – Congratulations Arsenal fans

If Gooners wanted the club to show ambition in the transfer market, they need not ask again. TBRFootball Graeme Bailey’s latest comments point squarely in that direction.

While the ‘imminent’ signing of Martín Zubimendi already gives Arsenal a dependable midfield foundation, one they can trust even if Thomas Partey joins Jorginho in heading for the exit, it would still make sense to recruit another deep-lying midfielder.

A Partey replacement firmly on the radar
According to Bailey, Arsenal are not prepared to take risks in midfield, particularly with Partey expected to depart.

“Arsenal want another midfielder. Jorginho is gone and they are now really expecting Thomas Partey to go,” Bailey said.

“Even before Zubimendi, we know they wanted Nypan and have looked at the likes of Agoumé, Bouaddi and Barrios, so they will look at another this summer and are doing work on it.”

The potential heirs to Partey
Lucien Agoumé (23) of Sevilla, standing at six feet two inches, is noted for his physical strength and ball-winning prowess. These traits have earned him comparisons to a young N’Golo Kanté.

Ayyoub Bouaddi (17) of Lille offers a profile reminiscent of Frenkie de Jong, though with a more assertive tackling edge. His long stride makes him a smooth, progressive ball carrier. He is a press-resistant pivot with the intelligence to orchestrate play from deep.

Pablo Barrios (22) of Atlético Madrid is likened to Dani Ceballos, a technical controller who excels at receiving under pressure, retaining possession, and distributing with precision. His all-round ability makes him an appealing option.

Arsenal clearly have their sights set on the right midfield successors. Now, it is a matter of choosing the one who best fits their blueprint.

Should Andrea Berta succeed in bringing one of them alongside Zubimendi through the door, it would signal Arsenal’s intent loud and clear, a show of ambition from a club often criticised for playing it safe.

Here’s a clearer look at Arsenal’s confirmed progress and future plans—grounding the recent speculation in reliable, sourced updates:

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### 🩺 **Confirmed: Zubimendi’s Medical Completed**

* Central midfield target **Martin Zubimendi** has *officially completed his medical* in London ahead of his move from Real Sociedad to Arsenal. The deal, worth around **£51 million** via his release clause, is now in the paperwork-final stage ([africa.espn.com][1], [bbc.com][2]).
* With personal terms and payment structures agreed, Arsenal are poised to *announce Zubimendi’s arrival imminently* ([bbc.co.uk][3]).
* This transformation elevates Zubimendi to **Arsenal’s first summer signing**, providing a deep-lying midfield anchor in case **Thomas Partey departs** .

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### 🔍 **Going Forward: More Midfield Reinforcements**

According to TBRFootball’s Graeme Bailey, Arsenal are proactively seeking **another deep-lying midfielder**—especially with **Jorginho already gone** and a **Partey exit** deemed likely ([reddit.com][4]).

**Prospective candidates include:**

* **Lucien Agoumé** (23, Sevilla): A ball-winning midfielder likened to a young N’Golo Kanté.
* **Ayyoub Bouaddi** (17, Lille): A dynamic, press-resistant carrier with creative flair.
* **Pablo Barrios** (22, Atlético Madrid): A technical pivot, strong under pressure with precise distribution.

These targets reflect Arsenal’s desire to reinforce not only depth but also future-proof their midfield structure .

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### 🎯 **Why It Matters**

* **Squad balance**: With Zubimendi secured, a new midfielder would provide essential support for Declan Rice and Odegaard, and offer cover or parity should Partey leave.
* **Strategic vision**: Andrea Berta’s recruitment strategy blends **immediate impact** with **development potential**—investing in youth that could thrive long-term.
* **Summer momentum**: Securing a second midfield signing, alongside planned striker additions (Gyökeres/Sesko/Isak) and finalized midfielders, will signal Arsenal’s full-speed commitment to title contention.

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### ✅ **The Bottom Line**

1. **Zubimendi’s signing is essentially locked in.**
2. Arsenal are actively targeting **another defensive‑minded midfielder** to complete their rebuild.
3. Landing such a player would **cement the midfield spine**, especially with possible departures disrupting squad depth.

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Would you like a **detailed comparison** of Agoumé, Bouaddi, and Barrios—examining their stats, fit under Arteta, and which one makes the most tactical sense?

* [talksport.com](https://talksport.com/football/premier-league/3306787/arsenal-martin-zubimendi-lands-england-transfer-news-update/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/28/arsenal-close-to-martin-zubimendi-deal-after-agreeing-51m-release-clause-payment?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

[1]: https://africa.espn.com/football/story/_/id/45358524/martin-zubimendi-set-medical-arsenal-transfer-sources?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Martín Zubimendi set for medical before Arsenal transfer – sources – ESPN”
[2]: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c071mlpjxxko?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Arsenal: Martin Zubimendi set for medical before £51m move from Real Sociedad – BBC Sport”
[3]: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c071mlpjxxko?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Arsenal: Martin Zubimendi set for medical before £51m move from Real Sociedad – BBC Sport”
[4]: https://www.reddit.com/r/Gunners/comments/1h2iyet?utm_source=chatgpt.com “[The Athletic] Arsenal Transfer DealSheet: What to expect in 2025”