Andrea Berta wanted to sign a different no.6 than Zubimendi

September 2, 2025 19:53 GMT (UK), by Sri Aswin

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta had his sights on signing a different defensive midfielder than Martin Zubimendi, according to The Athletic.

The Gunners bolstered their midfield department this summer with the signings of Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard from Real Sociedad and Brentford respectively.

Zubimendi had agreed terms to join the Gunners as early as January and by the time Berta was appointed, the club were in advanced negotiations to purchase the Spaniard.

It is now revealed that Berta had different defensive midfielders on his radar, but the club had already found their solution in the form of Zubimendi.

Berta eventually went with the club’s choice, but he was largely involved in signing Norgaard instead of Sevilla’s Lucien Agoume this summer.

The Italian wanted an experienced option after Thomas Partey‘s exit and preferred Norgaard over Agoume, who is still relatively unproven.

Zubimendi has already made a big impression for the Gunners, but Norgaard has yet to make his debut due to a minor injury.