Real Madrid Pursues Martin Zubimendi Amid Arsenal Uncertainty

Real Madrid have circled back to Martin Zubimendi – and this time, Jose Mourinho is pushing hard behind the scenes.

The Arsenal midfielder, who only arrived in North London last summer in a €65 million switch from Real Sociedad, is back on Madrid’s agenda as Mourinho looks to reshape the heart of his team. He wants control. He wants authority. He believes Zubimendi can bring both.

Arsenal’s midfield shake-up sparks uncertainty

When Arsenal landed Zubimendi, the plan was clear: he would grow into a central pillar of Mikel Arteta’s project, anchoring the midfield at the Emirates Stadium for years. Twelve months on, the picture is not nearly as straightforward.

Arsenal’s decision to bring in Bruno Guimaraes has altered the internal landscape. The Brazilian’s arrival has prompted fresh doubts within Zubimendi’s camp about his long-term importance and status in Arteta’s hierarchy.

Those doubts have not stayed private. According to Graeme Bailey, Zubimendi’s representatives have already held discussions as they weigh up his current role and scan the market for potential exits. At 27, the Spain international does not want to drift into a rotational role just a year after making a high-profile move to the Premier League.

Arsenal open the door – but not wide

Inside Arsenal, there is no sense of a fire sale or a push to move him on. The club are not actively trying to force Zubimendi out. But there is a crucial nuance: they are prepared to listen.

If a suitable offer lands on the table, Arsenal would be willing to consider it. That stance has immediately encouraged Real Madrid, long-term admirers of the midfielder, to test whether this situation can be turned into a deal.

The stumbling block is obvious. Arsenal paid €65 million for him last summer and will not make his departure simple or cheap. Any club wanting Zubimendi will have to confront that valuation head-on.

Mourinho’s stamp on Madrid’s plans

This is not the first time Madrid have tracked Zubimendi, but the dynamic has shifted with Mourinho’s arrival and his clear approval of the player. The Portuguese coach wants more experience and presence in the holding role, and Zubimendi fits the profile he has outlined.

That endorsement has injected fresh energy into Madrid’s pursuit. It is understood that contact has already been made regarding the midfielder, and sources close to the situation suggest Zubimendi would be highly interested in a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

For Madrid, the next step is cold and financial. They must establish exactly what Arsenal will demand and then decide whether they are willing to pay a premium for a player who has only been in England for a single season.

If they do, Mourinho gets his anchor. If they hesitate, Arsenal hold a valuable asset and a restless midfielder who suddenly finds his future wide open.