Real Madrid could make a surprise move for Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi this summer, according to Talksport, with uncertainty growing over his role at the Emirates Stadium.
Zubimendi joined Arsenal last summer for £55m and enjoyed an impressive first campaign in north London. He made 57 appearances in all competitions, helped the club win the Premier League title and started 34 of their 38 league matches.
However, Arsenal’s recruitment in midfield has raised questions about whether the Spain international will remain a first-choice player next season. The club have invested £75m in Guimaraes, while Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze also provide manager Mikel Arteta with a number of options in the centre of the pitch.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was selected in midfield for the Champions League final, has been placed on the transfer market. Despite that development, Zubimendi’s position within the squad remains unclear as Arsenal seek to manage what has become a particularly deep group of players.
Chelsea have been mentioned as one possible destination for Zubimendi, but Talksport chief football reporter Alex Crook believes the midfielder could instead return to Spain and join Real Madrid. Crook suggested Arsenal may need to sell players before the transfer window closes because of the size of their squad.
Talksport understands that Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to leave Arsenal before the deadline. Neither player was included in the squad for the Community Shield victory over Manchester City.
Speaking on Monday’s Sports Bar programme, Crook said: “They need to sell some people, look at the absentee list for the Community Shieldno Martinelli, no Jorginho-Jesus… They’re in a luxurious position, at least two players for every position, almost too many players. I wouldn’t rule out Zubimendi going to Real Madrid.”
Real Madrid have not made a formal offer for Zubimendi. The Spanish club are expected to look for a new midfielder after missing out on Manchester City player Rodri.
Rodri, Spain’s World Cup-winning captain and Zubimendi’s international team-mate, had initially appeared likely to move to Real Madrid, with negotiations having begun. However, the midfielder subsequently made clear that he preferred a transfer to Barcelona. Talksport understands Barcelona have agreed a fee of about £65.3m with Rodri.
A move for Zubimendi would give Real Madrid a player whose technical profile is considered similar to Rodri’s. Zubimendi has operated as Rodri’s understudy for Spain, with the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner established as the team’s first-choice defensive midfielder at the 2024 European Championship and during their most recent World Cup triumph.
At this summer’s World Cup in North America, Zubimendi made a 21-minute substitute appearance in Spain’s final against Argentina. Although his involvement was limited, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente described the Arsenal player as the second-best midfielder in the world.
Discussing Rodri, de la Fuente said: “He is the best player in the world in his position, and you know we have Martin Zubimendi behind him, who is also a great player, certainly second best in the world.”
Zubimendi ended his first season with Arsenal having scored six goals and provided three assists in 57 appearances. Alongside his Premier League success, he played 13 times in the Champions League, where Arsenal were beaten by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in the final.
Arsenal’s squad depth means Zubimendi’s future could become one of the key issues of the closing stages of the transfer window, while Real Madrid’s need for midfield reinforcements could create an unexpected opportunity for the Spain international to return to his home country.
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