Real Madrid have threatened to hijack Arsenal’s move for Martin Zubimendi in recent weeks.
Reports emerged last week suggesting that Zubimendi prefers a move to Real Madrid, after new Los Blancos boss Xabi Alonso made a last-minute attempt to convince him to ditch the Emirates for the Bernabeu.
The Gunners faithful were understandably sent into panic mode as a result of these rumours, having had their heart set on signing the deep-lying playmaker for some time.
However, David Ornstein dispelled these suggestions that the player had any chance of signing for Real Madrid, reaffirming previous reports that Arsenal will complete the signing of Zubimendi.
Another update has now emerged on this front that appears to conclusively confirm that the Spanish giants will not be hijacking the move for the Real Sociedad man.
Real Madrid are looking at Martin Zubimendi alternatives
Zubimendi is likely to become Arsenal’s first summer signing, with the addition expected to be announced in early July for accounting reasons.
This could easily not have been the case had Real Madrid opted to pursue the Spaniard at a much earlier date, but the Gunners laid the groundwork for the deal back in January.
The La Liga outfit left it too late to sign the player, and according to AS, they’re now looking at alternatives.
The Spanish publication hasn’t mentioned any names that Florentino Perez has flagged up as potential options, aside from Manchester City’s Rodri, who is said to be a ‘tempting’ proposition for La Casa Blanca.
Real Madrid may look to seduce the Ballon d’Or winner next summer, when he’ll have a year remaining on his deal, and could look to repeat the strategy they used for Trent Alexander-Arnold, which ultimately saw them secure the right-back’s services for free.
However, Perez and fellow senior figures at the Bernabeu are now somewhat resigned to the fact that Zubimendi will be signing for Arsenal, and have finally accepted defeat on that front.
They may make a move for a Zubimendi alternative after the Club World Cup, depending on how the tournament pans out for Xabi Alonso’s side.
What Martin Zubimendi will bring to Arsenal
Arsenal need a new number six who will sit behind the marauding Declan Rice and the elegant Martin Odegaard, and complement these two midfielders’ best attributes.
Zubimendi is the perfect player to fulfil this role, with his own skillset perfectly suited to dovetailing the aforementioned duo.
Extremely comfortable in possession in tight spaces, the 26-year-old is capable of breaking lines with penetrative passes, carrying the ball in between the lines with aggressive bursts and is also exceptional at positioning himself correctly to make defensive interventions.
There have been some question marks about his industrious style when playing for Sociedad, but Zubimendi thrives every time he plays for Spain, surrounded by better players and operating in a possession-based team.
At just £55 million, it’s a great piece of business from the Arsenal hierarchy.
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