Real Madrid 'very close' to hijacking Arsenal transfer for top summer target

It looks like Arsenal have a serious battle on their hands if they're to sign Martin Zubimendi this summer, with Real Madrid also keen on acquiring the Real Sociedad midfielder.

The Gunners have had their eye on Zubimendi for quite some time, and it was reported in January that the Spanish international was a priority summer target for Mikel Arteta. A deal was 'virtually completed, according to Sami Mokbel.

There was talk of the Arsenal boss offering Zubimendi assurances while the club negotiated Mikel Merino's transfer, and the player was supposedly convinced, having stayed loyal to his boyhood club for several years amid rife transfer speculation.

The Gunners are in need of a midfield rejuvenation this summer due to Thomas Partey and Jorginho's impending departures. Both players are out of contract in June.

Real Madrid to battle Arsenal for Martin Zubimendi transfer

There had been links to Joshua Kimmich before he signed a contract extension at Bayern Munich, but Zubimendi has long been regarded as Arsenal's top midfield target. However, we've noted over the past couple of months that interest from Madrid was beginning to surface.

A report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, which has been backed up by AS, suggest Zubimendi is 'very close' to signing for Madrid. The Champions League holders and La Liga champions opted against signing a Toni Kroos replacement last summer and have been reliant on a 39-year-old Luka Modric in the middle of the park, along with Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Zubimendi is a midfielder Madrid are familiar with, and fighting Los Blancos in negotiations will be tough for the Arsenal.

However, the club's move for Zubimendi isn't dead in the water yet - far from it. Earlier this month, The Athletic's David Ornstein said that Arsenal's deal is at a "very advanced stage", adding: “The anticipation inside Arsenal is that he’s coming in.” He's believed to be available for around €60m this summer, which would eat into the club's likely budget.

Whether Madrid have since swooped under the Gunners' nose remains to be seen, but the latest Spanish reports shouldn't be taken as gospel. I will start to worry if Zubimendi is still on the market by the time Madrid appoint the midfielder's former coach in Sociedad, Xabi Alonso. Whether Alonso succeeds Carlo Ancelotti will depend on Madrid's conclusion to the 2024/25 campaign.

We face off against Ancelotti's side in the Champions League quarter-finals next month.

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