All posts by n8rngtd.top

Martin Zubimendi admits Arsenal was always the right project for him after snubbing Real Madrid to join the Gunners this summer.

• Zubimendi opted for Arsenal move
• Rejected Real Madrid for Arteta
• Reveals reasons for Gunners switch

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Zubimendi officially joined last season's Premier League runners-up this summer in a £60million deal, despite huge interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid. There was initially some doubt that Los Blancos would hijack the deal for the midfielder, but he has now revealed that he always wanted to link up with Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

Advertisement

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT ZUBIMENDI SAID

  Speaking at the launch of Arsenal and adidas's new away kit, the Spaniard said: "I always wanted to respect Real Sociedad. But once Arsenal convinced me, I knew it was the right project. Signing for Arsenal is a big change for me. It's the change I wanted.

  "And since the first day I've been here I've noticed the greatness of this club and I'm adapting. I don't know what Mikel Arteta saw in me, but what I saw in him is that he's a top coach in Europe. When I wanted to leave Real, I wanted a quality coach, and I think I've found one. I've seen how obsessive and detailed he is with his game, so I think I've found the right one."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Zubimendi forms part of Arsenal's new-look midfield following the departures of Thomas Partey and Jorginho. He will link up with Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and fellow newcomer Christian Norgaard as the Gunners look to finally end their trophy drought next season.

• Getty Images
  

  WHAT NEXT FOR ZUBIMENDI?

  Arsenal and Zubimendi have flown out to Singapore to begin their pre-season preparations for the 2025-26 campaign. They will face AC Milan and Newcastle before taking on north London rivals Tottenham at the end of July.

Birmingham City won the League One title with a staggering 111 points in the 2024/25 season and are now preparing for a campaign in the Championship.

The Blues are already being linked with plenty of players, including Reading’s Charlie Savage, Swansea City’s Harry Darling, and Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper James Beadle.

Chris Davies is also looking to bolster his attacking options ahead of a season in the second tier, as Birmingham have been linked with a loan move for Aston Villa winger Louie Barry.

The English dynamo scored 15 goals in League One on loan at Stockport County in the 2024/25 campaign, but is unproven above the third tier, and the club are reportedly eyeing a star who would be an even better signing this summer.

Birmingham enquire about move for £8m star

Whilst Barry may be an exciting signing on loan because of his impressive performances in League One, with 15 goals, he has yet to prove himself in the Championship and would be a risky addition.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Birmingham have made an enquiry over a deal to bring Demarai Gray back to the club in the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that the Jamaica international is exploring the possibility of a return to England ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, and that Sunderland are another English side with an interest in the winger.

Jacobs’ GIVEMESPORT article adds that Al-Ettifaq, his current team, would be willing to cash in on him for a fee of £8m this summer, as they are willing to accept that he would like to return to England.

The report reveals that Birmingham have made contact to enquire about a deal, but states that it remains to be seen whether or not he would be willing to drop down to the Championship instead of exploring a Premier League move.

Why Birmingham should sign Demarai Gray

Davies should work hard to convince the 28-year-old wizard to make the move to St. Andrew’s this summer because he would be an even better signing than Barry, due to his pedigree at the top level.

Birmingham will have ambitions of eventually making their way back to the Premier League and the Al-Ettifaq star is vastly experienced at that level, with 200 appearances under his belt.

Gray, who was described as “electric” by journalist Scott Saunders during his time at Everton, produced nine goals and five assists in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 Premier League seasons combined for the Toffees.

This shows that he can make a decent impact at the top end of the pitch in the top-flight, whilst Barry has yet to score or assist a goal in either of the top two divisions in his career to date.

As you can see in the table above, Gray has plenty of experience in the top two leagues in England as well as 57 matches in the Pro League and the Bundesliga.

The £8m-rated star would, therefore, arrive as a high-profile addition for the Blues and one that would align with a long-term ambition to return to the Premier League, as he has proven that he has the quality to play at an even higher level than the Championship.

Gray could realistically follow the club on a journey from the second tier to the top-flight and be a useful player at both levels, given what he has already achieved in his career.

Whereas, there is no guarantee that Barry can make the step up to the Championship, as he is yet to prove it, let alone the Premier League, which is why it would be a bigger risk to sign the Aston Villa youngster.

Norwich City now join Birmingham in race to sign "fantastic" ace for £0

Norwich City are now the latest team to show interest in signing a contract rebel.

1

By
Brett Worthington

Jun 5, 2025

With this in mind, Gray would be a better signing for the Blues with the long-term goal of reaching the Premier League because of his experience and quality, as well as it being a permanent move rather than a loan, as Barry would be.