Real Madrid Targets Martin Zubimendi as Arsenal Stands Firm
Real Madrid tried to crash the party once. They failed. Now they’re back at the door for Martin Zubimendi, and this time they know exactly what kind of player they’re trying to prise away from Arsenal.
The Spanish giants have revived their interest in the 27-year-old midfielder, with senior figures at the Santiago Bernabéu exploring the possibility of a deal. Arsenal, though, are in no mood to sell. Mikel Arteta wants Zubimendi at the heart of his squad for the coming season and the club’s stance is clear: he is not on the market.
That doesn’t mean the conversation is over. Every player has a price, and Madrid know it.
Madrid divided, Arsenal defiant
Inside Real Madrid, there is no full agreement on Zubimendi. Some at the top of the club see him as a smart, long-term addition to a midfield that has already been heavily refreshed. Others are less convinced, wary of paying a premium for a player tied down to a long contract at the Emirates Stadium that runs until June 2030.
This is not a new flirtation. Madrid and Liverpool both pushed hard last year, only to watch Arsenal close the deal. The Gunners paid a little over £51 million to bring Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, winning a race that Madrid had effectively joined too late.
By the time Los Blancos formally registered their interest in the Spain international, Arsenal had already done the hard work. Agreement in principle, structure of the deal, personal terms — all in place. Madrid were left on the outside, looking in.
A long chase, not a lucky break
Zubimendi’s move to north London was no opportunistic swoop. Arsenal had tracked him closely and weighed up a bid as early as the summer of 2024, when they also targeted his then-Real Sociedad teammate Mikel Merino.
Real Sociedad drew a line. One big sale, not two. They refused to lose both pillars of their midfield in the same window, and Arsenal had to wait.
Instead of walking away, the Gunners played the long game. They kept the dialogue open, maintained a strong relationship with the Basque club and went back when the timing suited all parties. When the deal finally landed a year later, Arteta made no attempt to hide how central he believed Zubimendi would be.
“Martin is a player who will bring a huge amount of quality and football intelligence to our team,” Arteta said at the time. “He will fit in really well, and he has all the attributes to be a key player for us.
“The standard he has consistently performed at over the last few seasons for both club and country is exactly why we are so excited to have him with us. We all welcome Martin and his family to the club.”
Andrea Berta echoed that sentiment from the recruitment side. “We are so happy to bring Martin to Arsenal and have a lot of pride in finalising this transfer. Martin was a key target for us and we all know that he is a perfect fit for our squad with the high quality he has.
“We welcome Martin and his family to the club. We look forward to him settling in with his teammates and are very excited to see him playing in an Arsenal shirt.”
Zubimendi himself knew exactly what he was stepping into. “This is a huge moment in my career. It’s the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are.
“I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently, and the best is yet to come.”
A title, a dip, and a new dilemma
On the pitch, Zubimendi’s first season delivered volume and silverware. He featured 57 times in all competitions, scored six goals and added three assists. His influence helped Arsenal finally break their two-decade wait for a Premier League title and drive all the way to a Champions League final.
The season did not finish as strongly for him personally. He lost his place in the starting XI towards the end of the campaign, a reminder of the depth and competition Arteta has built in midfield. But that dip has not cooled interest from Madrid, who see a player already proven at the elite level, with years ahead of him and a game tailored to high-possession, high-control football.
Arsenal now stand at a familiar crossroads for a modern superclub. They have a core player tied to a long contract, a manager who sees him as a key part of the project, and a European giant testing their resolve.
Last summer, Real Madrid arrived late and left empty-handed. This time, they are early. The question is simple: will Arsenal’s answer be the same?
