Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has publicly dismissed speculation that he is seeking reinforcements in the January transfer window, specifically rejecting reports linking him to a mid-season move for Arsenal midfielder Martín Zubimendi. According to reporting from FootballTransfers, Mourinho addressed the rumours during a press conference on 17 October ahead of his side’s upcoming La Liga fixture against Sevilla. The manager insisted he has made no requests for new additions and remains satisfied with the squad currently at his disposal, effectively cooling the speculation surrounding the Spain international who has found playing opportunities limited at Arsenal this season.
Mourinho Rejects Mid-Season Business
Mourinho was resolute in his denial when questioned about his transfer strategy for the winter window. The Madrid boss emphasized that he has not approached the club's hierarchy with a list of demands and stressed his preference for working with a settled group. "Signings? I'm not asking for anything," Mourinho stated during his press conference. "I'm happy with the squad and the players. I don't look like I'm asking for players. I like having small squads, and if someone comes in, someone else has to leave. If the sporting director has something in mind, we're here to consider it. But it won't be my initiative."
The clarity provided by the manager serves to distance the Santiago Bernabéu hierarchy from the suggestion that they have identified the Arsenal midfielder as an immediate target for January. Mourinho furthered his stance by noting that while he expects his midfielders to balance defensive duties with creative output, he is focused on the development of his current charges rather than seeking external solutions to tactical problems. His comments align with Real Madrid’s broader, long-standing historical preference to avoid significant squad disruption during the mid-season window, favouring the stability of a full pre-season to integrate new arrivals.
Zubimendi’s Diminished Role at Arsenal
The speculation regarding a potential departure stems from Zubimendi’s reduced role at Arsenal. Since completing his move to North London on 6 July 2025, the midfielder’s integration into Mikel Arteta’s tactical setup has hit obstacles. While he initially featured, he has struggled for consistent minutes in the current campaign. The emergence of academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly and the summer arrival of Bruno Guimarães have fundamentally altered the competitive landscape of the Arsenal engine room.
Zubimendi has managed five league appearances this season, but he has yet to complete a full 90-minute match, reflecting the increasing difficulty he faces in securing a regular starting spot. Furthermore, the player’s short-term future is complicated by physical fitness concerns; he is currently sidelined following an injury sustained during a training session in the days following Arsenal’s recent match against Leeds United. This combination of increased squad competition and fitness setbacks has left the midfielder on the periphery of the first-team picture.
Real Madrid’s Long-Term Midfield Search
While the immediate winter link has been dismissed, reports from sources such as DailyCannon indicate that Real Madrid remain in the market for a high-level midfielder, with a strategic focus on the summer of 2027. The club is conducting an ongoing assessment of the international market as they seek a long-term successor capable of providing the control previously offered by Toni Kroos. The Spanish giants have previously made attempts to recruit in this area, including an unsuccessful pursuit of Manchester City's Rodri, confirming that the position is regarded as a high-priority recruitment objective.
Real Madrid’s scouting and recruitment strategy appears geared towards identifying a player who can connect the midfield and defensive lines, with Zubimendi consistently named as one of the profiles under consideration within that wider search. The current lack of an active, club-sanctioned negotiation for the upcoming January window reflects the reality that while there is an established admiration for the player's profile, the club is content to wait until the summer months to execute their next significant midfield acquisition. The situation is expected to remain quiet regarding any potential transfer movement until the 2027 summer market, where the club’s long-term planning will likely come to the fore.
