Chelsea pursue Arsenal midfielder
Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi, with manager Xabi Alonso said to be pushing for the move. This interest comes as Arsenal recently completed a £75m deal for Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, a move that has led to speculation about Zubimendi’s future at the club. According to reports from Spain, Zubimendi’s position at Arsenal is now considered “precarious” following Guimaraes’ arrival.
Zubimendi, who joined Arsenal last summer in a £60m transfer from Real Sociedad, had an initial strong start to his career in north London. However, his form reportedly declined towards the end of the season, resulting in him losing his place in the team during the final stretch and for Arsenal’s Champions League final against PSG. His current contract at the Emirates Stadium is set to run until the summer of 2030.
The Spain international is also attracting attention from Real Madrid, who are reportedly considering a fresh approach for the player. Real Madrid had previously shown interest in Zubimendi 12 months ago. However, the La Liga giants are said to face “tough competition” from Chelsea, who are under pressure from Alonso to secure Zubimendi’s services for Stamford Bridge.
Alonso has a prior working relationship with Zubimendi, having managed him at Real Sociedad. He also reportedly attempted to sign Zubimendi during his brief tenure as manager of Real Madrid. Arsenal’s stance on selling Zubimendi remains unclear, but reports suggest they would seek at least 90m euros (approximately £77m) to approve his departure.
Impact of Guimaraes’ arrival
The arrival of Bruno Guimaraes at Arsenal has significantly strengthened their midfield options. Guimaraes, who is 28 years old, expressed his excitement about joining Arsenal, stating his desire to win trophies and make history with the club. He became Arsenal’s third summer signing, following winger Christos Tzolis and back-up goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also reportedly made an attempt to sign Vinicius Junior, but the Brazil international ultimately signed a new contract with Real Madrid.
The addition of Guimaraes has prompted discussions about Zubimendi’s role. Former England defender Jamie Carragher questioned Zubimendi’s future at Arsenal, suggesting that he might not regain his previous standing in the team. Carragher commented on a podcast that he did not see Zubimendi getting his “controller” role back, a position he was initially brought in to fill.
Zubimendi, at 27 years old, is described as a tough-tackling midfielder capable of making crucial interceptions. He is also noted for his distribution skills from midfield and his ability to contribute goals and assists. Primarily a holding midfielder, he can also play as a box-to-box midfielder. Having played in the Premier League, he is expected to adapt quickly to life at Chelsea if a move materialises.
Should Zubimendi join Chelsea, he is expected to bring additional quality and experience to Alonso’s midfield. He is considered to be approaching his prime, making him a valuable target for the West London club. His presence could help Chelsea compete across various competitions in the coming seasons. Alonso is reportedly keen to exert all his influence to bring Zubimendi to Stamford Bridge this month.
In the previous campaign, Zubimendi participated in 38 league matches for Arsenal, scoring five goals and providing one assist.
Transfer market dynamics
The transfer market activity around Zubimendi highlights the competitive nature of acquiring top midfield talent. Arsenal’s significant investment in Guimaraes, a player who has expressed clear ambitions for winning trophies, reshapes their midfield landscape. Guimaraes stated, “I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I’m in the right place to do it.”
The reported asking price of 90m euros (approximately £77m) for Zubimendi reflects his perceived value and the financial commitment required from interested clubs like Chelsea and Real Madrid. This valuation suggests that Arsenal would only consider selling the midfielder for a substantial fee, especially given his contract runs until 2030.
The competition between Chelsea and Real Madrid for Zubimendi’s signature could further influence the transfer fee. Alonso’s persistent interest in Zubimendi, stemming from their time together at Real Sociedad and his attempt to sign him for Real Madrid, underscores the manager’s belief in the player’s capabilities. The ongoing discussions around Zubimendi’s future are a key aspect of the current transfer window.
Source: metro.co.uk