The 26-year-old, who was close joining Liverpool last summer before rejecting a deal last-minute, has been strongly linked with a move Arsenal. It was reported back in January that Mikel Arteta's side were all-but there with a £51million agreement for Zubimendi, who would help solve the Gunners' midfield issues.
However, Real are trying to hijack the transfer and want to add more Spanish players to their squad. Zubimendi is someone Los Blancos have identified and TBR Football claim that he is now considering his options. Real are making it clear they want Zubimendi this summer in a move that could rock Arsenal.
Carlo Ancelotti's Real currently have five home nation first-team players on their books and signing Zubimendi would help fill the eight needed ahead of the 2025/26 season. Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen and Athletic Club's Nico Williams are other Spanish players that Los Blancos are targeting.
As well as boosting their Spain-based quota, Zubimendi would also strengthen squad, even if their midfield is already stacked several big-name stars in that position right now.
It's not just Real Madrid and Arsenal who have been linked with Zubimendi. Manchester City and Liverpool are also reported to be interested in the San Sebastian-born midfielder.
Arsenal are expected to dip into the market to strengthen their squad in a number of areas this summer. As well as adding a midfielder to their ranks, a new centre forward is said to be their priority. Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko are among those that have been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.
After losing Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus to long-term injuries, there was hope that Arsenal would sign an attacking reinforcement in the January transfer window.
However, the Gunners failed to do that, leaving Mikel Arteta frustrated. The Spaniard expressed his disappointment at the start of last month. He said: "We had a clear intention which is always when a window opens to explore the opportunities to improve our squad with players that can make an impact.
"With players injured, we've been impacted and we haven't achieved it. We are disappointed in that sense but as well we are very aware that we only want to bring certain kinds of players and we have to be very disciplined with that as well. I think that we were.
"It's in the profile, a player that we believe can make us much better. Financially there is a lot of ways, a lot of things that we must stay in the lane that has taken us this far and from there try to improve."
0 Comments