It’s September 2026 and the transfer rumour mill is already spinning at full speed — and this one has Real Madrid’s name written all over it. Spanish outlet Fichajes reports that Martin Zubimendi is beginning to question his future at Arsenal, with Los Blancos among the clubs keeping close tabs on the situation. If things don’t improve for the Spanish midfielder at the Emirates, a departure as early as January 2027 could be on the cards.
What’s Going On at Arsenal?
Zubimendi’s story at Arsenal has taken a sharp turn in a short space of time. The 25-year-old joined from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2025 for a fee of €70 million, filling the midfield void left by Thomas Partey’s departure. By most measures, his debut season was a success — 57 appearances across all competitions, a Premier League title, and a run to the Champions League final. He formed a solid partnership with Declan Rice in the heart of Arteta’s engine room, and Madrid fans watching on will have been quietly impressed.
But then came the warning signs. Mikel Arteta began sidelining Zubimendi in the final weeks of last season’s title run, opting instead to start teenage sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly — a player who went on to start the Champions League final. Now, at the start of the new season, Zubimendi has featured off the bench in both of Arsenal’s opening fixtures, rather than in his expected starting role. It’s early days, but the pattern is hard to ignore.
According to the report, if Arteta continues to keep Zubimendi out of his first-choice XI, the Spaniard may seriously weigh up his options — potentially requesting a move as early as the January 2027 window. Arteta himself publicly insisted over the summer that Zubimendi is a key part of his plans and ruled out any exit, but football has a way of forcing conversations that clubs would rather avoid.
Why Real Madrid Should Be Excited
From a Madridista perspective, this is exactly the type of opportunity that Real Madrid have historically been brilliant at exploiting. The club has long been linked with Zubimendi — he was reportedly on their radar even before Arsenal moved in — and a potential bargain window signing of an established international midfielder in the prime of his career would fit the club’s transfer philosophy perfectly.
Real Madrid’s midfield has undergone enormous transformation in recent seasons. The departure of veterans like Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, combined with the emergence of younger profiles, means Florentino Pérez is always on the lookout for quality and depth in the middle of the park. Zubimendi — composed, technically refined, strong in the press, and capable of controlling the tempo of a game — would slot naturally into Carlo Ancelotti’s system, or whoever is leading the dugout by early 2027.
Liverpool are also mentioned as interested parties, which is no surprise given their long-standing pursuit of the player dating back to 2024, when Zubimendi famously turned down a move to Anfield before eventually choosing Arsenal. The Merseyside club are reportedly eyeing Lamine Camara as a separate midfield target, but Zubimendi would clearly represent a premium option if available.
What Happens Next?
For now, it’s worth tempering expectations. We’re barely into September, Arteta has publicly backed his player, and Zubimendi himself hasn’t made any public statement about wanting out. The Fichajes report is speculative in nature, and the most realistic timeline for any transfer — should the situation deteriorate — would be the summer of 2027 rather than January.
That said, Real Madrid fans have every reason to bookmark this one. A disgruntled world-class midfielder, a Spanish international who has always been linked with a return to his home country’s top clubs, and a potential price point that Madrid could meet — the ingredients are all there. Keep an eye on Zubimendi’s role at Arsenal over the coming months. If he’s still warming the bench come Christmas, this story is going to get a lot louder.
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