Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Real Madrid target Arsenal's Zubimendi

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 10 Nov, 09:44 · Archive

Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi is a target for Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Real Madrid in the January transfer window.

Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi is a transfer target for Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Real Madrid this January. The 27-year-old Spain international joined Arsenal for £60m from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2025 and was initially a fixture in Mikel Arteta's midfield, making 34 Premier League starts last season and playing a significant role in the Gunners' title win.

However, Zubimendi has fallen out of favour in recent months. The arrival of Bruno Guimaraes in an £85m summer transfer and the resurgence of Myles Lewis-Skelly have pushed him down the pecking order. This season he has made only seven Premier League appearances, all from the substitutes bench. The Independent Sport reports he has grown frustrated with his peripheral role under Arteta and is desperate for more minutes.

Atletico Madrid are said to be particularly keen on securing a move. According to Spanish radio station RNE via SPORT, as reported by Metro, Atletico's sporting director Mateu Alemany believes there is room for improvement in Diego Simeone's squad despite heavy summer investment. BBC Sport reports that Barcelona have also expressed interest in Bayern Munich defender Jonathan Tah, though the German champions do not plan to let him leave.

The three clubs monitoring Zubimendi all need midfield reinforcements. The Independent Sport states Arsenal would likely want to recoup at least the £60m they paid for him. However, Arsenal have also made significant progress securing new contracts for Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice, suggesting Arteta still values his squad depth.

Zubimendi remains a valuable asset despite his current difficulties at Arsenal. The Independent Sport notes he was a key player in last season's title campaign and played a significant part in Spain's World Cup victory in July. Whether he departs in January may depend on Arsenal's plans to strengthen their forward line, which they view as a priority for the summer.

How it is being reported

• Diego Simeone ‘dreaming’ of January transfer move for £60m Arsenal starAtletico Madrid are on the hunt for a central midfielder this winter (Picture: Getty) Atletico Madrid are plotting an ambitious January transfer move for out-of-favour Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi , according to reports in Spain. Zubimendi helped bring Arsenal’s painful 22-year wait for a…Metro · 10 Nov, 09:38
• Chelsea one of three clubs keen on Arsenal star Martin Zubimendi for January transferThe defensive midfielder has fallen out of favour under Mikel Arteta and could be available to move in the January windowIndependent Sport · 10 Nov, 09:26
• Atletico target Zubimendi move - Tuesday's gossipArsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi is a target for Atletico Madrid, Leeds United plan to step up contract talks with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Barcelona are keen on Bayern Munich defender Jonathan Tah, plus more.BBC Sport · 9 Nov, 21:13

In this story: Martin Zubimendi · Arsenal · Atletico Madrid · Chelsea · Real Madrid · Mikel Arteta · Bruno Guimaraes · Diego Simeone

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