Real Madrid are still interested in Martín Zubimendi. The midfielder from Real Sociedad has been on the Whites’ radar for some time now, and his performance in the Cup has rekindled their interest. Although Arsenal seem to have the advantage in the race to sign him, Madrid are keeping a close eye on the situation.
The departure of Toni Kroos left a void in the midfield of the Whites, although it is true that the club has a remarkable midfield at its disposal with Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Dani Ceballos, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler which makes the arrival of another midfielder a complicated task, but even so, Florentino Pérez‘s sporting management places a high value on Mikel Zubimendi, due to his quality, experience at the highest level and status as a Spanish player, which could help him balance the squad in terms of the number of national players.
Arsenal take the lead
The main obstacle for the Merengue team is Arsenal’s interest. From England they report that the London club is ahead in the negotiations and that they are in a position to pay his release clause of 60 million euros. The departure of Jorginho and Thomas Partey at the end of the league season forces the Gunners to strengthen their midfield, and that is why Mikel Arteta sees Zubimendi as the ideal man to occupy the midfield alongside Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino, former teammates of the San Sebastian-born player at Real Sociedad.
The Basque club and the player himself decided to postpone a hypothetical winter departure pending an operation in the summer that seems to be taking shape in this sense, but the white team has the expectation that the footballer Zubimendi can choose, as he did with Liverpool, to continue his career at Real Sociedad or consider departures pending a transfer that takes him to Arsenal.
Madrid, expectant
Real Madrid, therefore, is not in a hurry in the market but neither does it want to close any doors to a footballer who fits in with the club’s style of play. Zubimendi is a midfielder with characteristics similar to those of Kroos or Rodri, he has a great talent for starting the play from the back and for passing it to the team. His tactical intelligence and maturity on the pitch make him a very popular figure at Chamartín.
However, the club is aware that his signing could mean stiff competition for playing time in a squad with very top-class midfielders. The cup match, on the other hand, has served to reaffirm their interest, but also to make it clear that, although Madrid is seeing the player’s progress as completely normal, his incorporation is not something to be kept an eye on in the short term.
What if Xabi Alonso arrives?
The Basque coach is being considered by Real Madrid to replace Carlo Ancelotti (he already was at Bayern). Xabi Alonso has undoubtedly been one of Zubimendi’s greatest supporters and, if he is the one in charge of the white team, the possibility of having the footballer on board would be very high.
Zubimendi’s future is open but difficult. The English team has the advantage, but Real Madrid is not closing the door on his arrival if circumstances change. What seems clear is that his talent and projection will continue to generate interest in the big clubs in Europe.