Real Madrid to make late move for Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi

On multiple occasions it has looked as if Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi was a done deal to Arsenal this summer. In January it was reported that the Gunners were very confident in getting a deal done following advanced talks, and in recent weeks, Zubimendi has seemingly agreed to a move to London. Yet Los Blancos are not giving up the ghost yet.

Zubimendi shares an agent with Mikel Arteta, and with both hailing from Gipuzkoa, they have a clear connection. The 26-year-old turned down Arsenal two summers ago, and rejected Liverpool last year too, but it now appears that he has decided the time is right to depart Donostia-San Sebastian.

Real Madrid – and Xabi Alonso – not giving up hope

While Los Blancos are first moving to revamp their defence, it is believed that they will also pursue a midfielder. According to Diario AS, they will not give up hope of signing Zubimendi until the deal is made official by Arsenal. They say that everything has been agreed between the two, but the signature is not yet on the contracts, and will only be so after the end of the Premier League and La Liga seasons.

Real Madrid have 10 days to change Zubimendi’s mind

This is the time period that Real Madrid have to swing Zubimendi’s mind. Having seen him do so last summer over a move to Liverpool, they feel they can pull off similar. The major pulling power is Xabi Alonso: the future Real Madrid manager was Zubimendi’s idol, and Alonso, who coached him as a emerging talent at Real Sociedad B, is a huge fan of his. Alonso is set to speak with Zubimendi to see if he cannot persuade him to change his mind.

Real Madrid in need of a controlling midfielder

Los Blancos have missed Toni Kroos this season sorely, and while Fede Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham are all incredibly talented, none base their game on the circulation of the ball, and creating space for those further forward. Zubimendi is undoubtedly one of the best in that role in Spain.