Arsenal star David Raya says Liverpool missed out on ‘incredible’ signing

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya (Picture: Getty)

David Raya says Liverpool missed out on an ‘incredible’ signing when Martin Zubimendi rejected a move to Anfield before ending up at Arsenal.

Arsenal signed Spain midfielder Zubimendi from Real Sociedad back in July in a deal worth £60m.

Zubimendi, a Euros winner with Spain, was close to joining Liverpool last summer but ended up rejecting a move to Anfield as he wanted to spent one more year at Sociedad.

The 26-year-old finally got his move to the Premier League this summer, becoming Mikel Arteta’s second signing of the window at the start of July.

Zubimendi was battling illness during his Premier League debut against Manchester United but impressed in the 5-0 thrashing over Leeds United.

Arsenal lost to title rivals Liverpool before the international break but bounced back with a comfortable 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Zubimendi starred in that victory, scoring twice to earn the Player of the Match award and send Arsenal back up to second in the Premier League table.

Martin Zubimendi joined Arsenal in a deal worth £60m (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal goalkeeper Raya was aware of Zubimendi’s ability given they are teammates for Spain but insists he has still been ‘surprised’ by the £60m signing since his arrival.

‘He’s incredible,’ Raya said of the former Liverpool target. ‘I’ve shared the dressing room with the national team and now he’s here he’s even surprised me even more.

‘He’s a player that’s so intelligent. He knows how to play for the team, he doesn’t play for himself. His positioning in defence and attack is incredible. It’s a credit to have him.’

Liverpool boss Arne Slot tried to sign Zubimendi last summer (Picture: Getty)

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher recently accused Arteta of ‘stealing’ Zubimendi from the current Premier League champions.

‘I’m convinced now that Mikel Arteta definitely stole him from Liverpool,’ Carragher said on the Stick to Football podcast. ‘He had agreed to come to Liverpool.

‘He said he was coming – and at the last minute he said, “I don’t want to come. I’ll have another year [at Sociedad].”

‘Mikel Arteta’s from the Basque area. There’s no doubt he’s been into him and said, “We’re signing [Mikel] Merino this season, we’ll come for you next season”.

‘The deal was done about halfway through the season. Arteta definitely stopped [Liverpool’s] deal.

‘That’s why Zubimendi didn’t go to Liverpool. I think Arteta got into him. Listen, I’m not having a go at him, that’s just management.’

Raya was speaking ahead of Arsenal’s first Champions League game of the season on Tuesday night against Athletic Bilbao.

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