Transfer claims surface in media

Jamie Carragher claims Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta blocked Liverpool's bid for Martin Zubimendi, who later joined Arsenal for about £60m.

Carragher accuses Arteta of stealing Zubimendi from Liverpool

Liverpool chased Zubimendi from Real Sociedad last summer, but the midfielder rejected the move and stayed with Sociedad for another year. At the start of this year Arsenal agreed a deal reported around £60m and the player joined their rivals. Carragher said on the Stick to Football podcast that Arteta convinced Zubimendi to stay and later pursue a move to Arsenal. Arsenal have added several midfield players this window as part of a broader refresh. The transfer market shows how big fees for midfielders have become and how managers can influence decisions outside the official paperwork.

Arsenal have strengthened with Gyokeres, Madueke, Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Cristian Mosquera among the new names this season. The discussion around Zubimendi mirrors a wider debate about how much power rests with managers in shaping a club’s direction and what fans should expect from big this season.

The claim highlights the thin line between rumor and reality in football transfers. A single pundit’s assertion can spark debates about ethics and influence, even when there is no official confirmation. Managers are judged by results, but the echoes of whispered negotiations can affect reputations and fan mood.

This episode also points to a changing market where midfield talent commands large sums. Teams chase value while balancing budgets, strategy, and squad harmony. The risk is that loud statements eclipse measured thinking and mislead a broad audience about how deals actually unfold.

Highlights

Transfer chatter fades when the whistle blows and players take the field.