Real Madrid are willing to pay the €70 million (£60 million) transfer fee that Arsenal would demand to sell midfielder Martin Zubimendi in the January transfer window, according to a report by Spanish outlet Sport, aggregated via TEAMtalk.
The 27-year-old Spain international signed a five-year contract with Arsenal on 6 July 2025. Although he played a prominent role in Arsenal's Premier League title-winning campaign last season, starting 34 matches, his playing time has since been heavily restricted. Zubimendi has played just 72 minutes across Arsenal's first four competitive matches of the 2026/27 season, having fallen down the pecking order behind the likes of summer signing Bruno Guimaraes and youth prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Sources indicate that if Zubimendi does not establish himself as a first-team regular by the turn of the year, he will push for a move away from Mikel Arteta's squad in the January window. Real Madrid, currently managed by Jose Mourinho, have kept in contact with the player's camp since making initial enquiries during the summer.
Chelsea Also Monitoring the Situation
Real Madrid are not the only club monitoring Zubimendi's circumstances. Chelsea also maintain a strong interest in the midfielder. Chelsea's current head coach, Xabi Alonso, previously worked with Zubimendi at Real Sociedad's B team, where the midfielder has openly described Alonso as his "idol." Chelsea are looking at midfield options after sanctioning the sale of Enzo Fernandez without securing a direct replacement.
While interest has also emerged from the Saudi Pro League, Zubimendi has reportedly ruled out a move to the Middle East, preferring to establish himself at the highest level in European football. He remains determined to fight for his place under Mikel Arteta in the coming months before reviewing his future ahead of the January transfer window.
