Martin Zubimendi could be on the move again — and Real Madrid are reportedly in the frame. According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, as relayed by The Hard Tackle, Los Blancos are among a cluster of top European clubs tracking the Arsenal midfielder ahead of a potential January exit. Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid are also said to be in the mix, with Arsenal reportedly placing a price tag of around €90 million on the 27-year-old.
A familiar name on the Madrid radar
This isn’t a sudden development for Real Madrid. The club has tracked Zubimendi for some time, monitoring his progress at Real Sociedad before he eventually moved to Arsenal for €70 million in July 2025. The underlying reason for Madrid’s interest hasn’t changed: since Toni Kroos retired, the team has visibly struggled to find that same kind of progressive, composed presence at the base of midfield. Madrid reportedly missed out on Rodri, and Zubimendi — a technically gifted holding midfielder who can pass through lines and cover defensively — fits the profile they’ve been searching for.
It’s easy to see the logic from a footballing standpoint. Zubimendi offers a combination of defensive solidity and ball-playing quality that few midfielders can replicate, and his experience in La Liga over several impressive seasons with La Real gave him a reputation as one of the best in his position in Spain.
Zubimendi’s bumpy start at Arsenal
The intrigue around his future is partly fuelled by a difficult spell in north London. Zubimendi racked up over 4,000 minutes across 57 appearances in all competitions during his debut season, chipping in with 6 goals and 3 assists — decent numbers on paper. But he lost his starting spot towards the end of that campaign, and things haven’t improved this term. So far, he has featured for just 380 minutes across 12 appearances, a sharp drop-off that has inevitably sparked exit talk.
Reports have suggested Zubimendi himself is open to leaving Arsenal as early as January, though Arsenal’s €90 million asking price is likely to make any winter deal complicated, regardless of who comes calling.
What it would mean for Madrid
For Real Madrid, landing Zubimendi would go a long way to solving a genuine problem. The midfield has been reshuffled since Kroos’s retirement, and while the squad remains formidable, that metronomic, controlling presence in the deep-lying role has been noticeably absent. Zubimendi wouldn’t be a like-for-like Kroos replacement — few players are — but his ability to control tempo and protect the defence offers something Madrid are clearly looking for.
That said, this remains firmly in rumour territory for now. The €90 million fee is steep, the January window is always complicated, and multiple clubs are involved. Madrid fans should keep an eye on this one, but temper expectations until something more concrete emerges.
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