José Mourinho Targets Arsenal's Martín Zubimendi for Real Madrid

José Mourinho has set his sights on Arsenal midfielder Martín Zubimendi and, crucially, has told Real Madrid to move.

The Portuguese coach, now in charge at the Bernabéu, has reportedly given full approval for Los Blancos to go after the 27-year-old this summer, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo. Zubimendi, once again, finds his name back in the Madrid conversation.

It is a transfer story that has circled back on itself. Last summer, as Xabi Alonso arrived in Madrid, Zubimendi was strongly linked with a move to Real, only for the deal to fizzle out and the Spaniard to land at Arsenal instead. Twelve months on, his situation in north London has shifted, and so has Madrid’s midfield plan.

The renewed push comes after Rodri rejected a move to the Spanish capital, leaving Real Madrid still searching for a creative presence in the middle of the pitch. Mourinho, never shy about what he wants from a squad, has made it clear: Zubimendi fits the profile and the club should try again.

Arsenal, for their part, are not closing the door. The Gunners would be prepared to let Zubimendi go if a suitable offer arrives. Suitable, in this case, means more than the 65 million euros they paid to sign him last year. Anything less will not start the conversation.

Zubimendi’s camp is already active. His representatives are studying the landscape around a player who has seen his importance at Arsenal fade, and they are quietly exploring potential exits. The sense is that his future is no longer firmly anchored to north London.

Mourinho’s stance is clear: he wants another creative midfielder and he has signed off on Zubimendi as a target. But Madrid’s path to the deal is not straightforward.

Two obstacles block the way. The first is Arsenal’s price tag, which will not be modest. The second is structural: Real Madrid have decided there will be no more signings unless someone leaves. For Zubimendi to walk through the door at the Bernabéu, a current member of the squad will have to walk out.

If Mourinho gets his wish, the next move in Madrid’s midfield rebuild will not come cheap – and it will come at someone else’s expense.