Martin Zubimendi’s is set to be one of the
There are few players more in-demand than the deep-lying Basque midfielder. Most recently, ESPN reported that Arsenal were leading the race to sign the Spain international, after moving ahead of Liverpool, while Manchester City were also linked with a January move.
Zubimendi switching clubs mid-season was always unlikely — having just committed his future to La Real months earlier, he was never going to move on so fast — but this summer, it’s a different story.
The playmaker loves life in San Sebastián (who wouldn’t?) but La Real are having a somewhat underwhelming season, 11th in LaLiga, and at 26, Zubimendi needs to be playing at the highest level.
Reports of Real Madrid’s interest are no surprise. Madrid have missed the retired Toni Kroos this season, with the team’s performances highlighting the fact that for all their midfield talent — Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga et al — they could still do with one more player in the position. And Zubimendi’s skillset — especially his range of passing and creativity — is just what Madrid are lacking.
In recent weeks it’s been Dani Ceballos who’s filled that position alongside Valverde in a double pivot, and he’s done well, but it’s hard not to see Zubimendi as a significant upgrade.
Would Zubimendi favour a move to the Bernabéu over the Emirates or the Etihad? We don’t yet know. The Premier League is an attractive, and lucrative, destination right now. Arsenal have a persuasive, Basque coach in Mikel Arteta, as well as two of Zubimendi’s former midfield teammates at La Real in Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino.
But there are very, very few Spanish players who turn down Madrid when given the chance.
OTHER RUMORS – Manchester United target Nuno Mendes has agreed a new five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain. (Fabrizio Romano )
– Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel , on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, still has eyes on a summer move to Manchester United. (Christian Falk )
– Manchester United and Manchester City are interested in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton . Both sides are to continue sending scouts to watch the 21-year-old, while Newcastle United are also keeping tabs on his situation. (TeamTalk )
– AC Milan are preparing to make a move to sign Tammy Abraham from AS Roma permanently. The former Chelsea striker, who is on loan, scored twice for Milan against Roma this week in the quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia. (Calciomercato )
– AC Milan are already looking at ways to extend the stay of Chelsea loanee Joao Felix after he scored on his debut against Roma. It will cost €8m-€10m to loan Felix for 2025-26, while an option to make the deal permanent could be added for around €30-€35m.(Gazzetta dello Sport )
– Samuele Ricci considers AC Milan as the No. 1 destination should he leave Torino in the summer. The 23-year-old midfielder recently extended his contract, but that will only serve to preserve his transfer value. (Calciomercato )
– Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is likely to leave Chelsea in the summer, and the west London club will lower the price they were asking for in the winter window. Everton and West Ham were interested in a loan move for the former Leicester City midfielder, with an option to make it permanent, but were put off by the terms. (Football Insider )
– Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk on his contract status: “What the future brings, at the moment, I’ve got no idea. So anyone who says they know it, they are absolutely wrong.” (Sky Sports )
– The Premier League will discuss cutting the January transfer window down to two weeks and closing the summer window before the season kicks off. (Daily Telegraph )
– Manchester United gave Lecce a “now or never” ultimatum when they moved to sign Patrick Dorgu last month. (The Sun )
– The agent of Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso has revealed that Manchester City were indeed interested in signing him last month. Reports in Italy claimed city were considering a bid of around €65m for the Italy international. (Kiss Kiss Napoli )
– Galatasaray are in talks to sign Sevilla right-back Juanlu Sanchez . The 21-year-old reportedly turned down an offer to join Everton on loan, but the Turkish window remains open until Tuesday. (Estadio Deportivo )
