Xabi Alonso wanted to sign Martin Zubimendi at Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, and Arsenal haven’t heard the end of it.
At one point, there was a concern that Real Madrid would beat Arsenal to Zubimendi, but the Gunners got the deal over the line.
Arsenal haven’t looked back ever since, as their £51m signing continues to prove he was the perfect match for Mikel Arteta’s midfield.
Arteta’s gain is Alonso’s pain, as the Real Madrid manager was desperate to sign Zubimendi, but fresh information suggests that the transfer would’ve never happened.
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Real Madrid didn’t want to pay for Martin Zubimendi because of Toni Kroos
Once Zubimendi had chosen Arsenal, he was all in, turning a blind eye to Real Madrid’s rumoured interest.
Despite the Spaniard’s move to N5 being completed in July, Alonso’s desperation to sign the midfielder is still spoken about.
In Spain, Defensa Central newly added another layer to the transfer saga, stating that while Alonso wanted Zubimendi, Real Madrid did not.
It’s reported that as soon as Alonso requested to sign Zubimendi, he received a ‘refusal from the club’ due to their belief that the 26-year-old wasn’t at Toni Kroos’ level.
Zubimendi would’ve been the eventual successor to Kroos, who retired in 2024, but Real Madrid didn’t see it that way.
Due to how they viewed Zubimendi with regard to Kroos, Los Blancos decided not to enter the ‘bidding for his arrival’.
Arsenal won’t care, as all that mattered was that Arteta won the race for his perfect midfielder, a player who has already become one of the Premier League’s best.
How Zubimendi can now leave Kroos and Real Madrid red-faced
Arteta loves Zubimendi and can already see the impact he’s had on the Arsenal squad.
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While the Spaniard thrives in England, Real Madrid still crave a player of his profile, with Arteta’s coup leaving Alonso in the cold.
Now, Zubimendi could actually go a step further and leave Real Madrid and Kroos red-faced.
In October, Kroos laughed at the idea of Arsenal winning the Champions League, a trophy the Gunners denied Real Madrid of retaining last season.
Given how Arsenal have started in the competition this season, there’s reason to believe that Zubimendi could win the trophy with the North Londoners.
It would be a triple blow: for Kroos’ joke, for Real Madrid’s transfer snub and for Alonso’s plea.
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