Real Madrid are weighing up a January move for Martin Zubimendi after the Arsenal midfielder lost his starting place.
Real Madrid are considering a January move for Martin Zubimendi, according to reports in Spain, with the Arsenal midfielder having lost his starting place at the beginning of the new season.
Sport reports that Real have begun preparing for the winter window and see Zubimendi as a solution to their midfield needs.
The Spaniard was already under consideration during the summer and is now viewed as a potential “market opportunity” after starting none of Arsenal’s first five competitive matches.
The report adds that Chelsea, now managed by Xabi Alonso, could also be interested, which is nice for them.
Zubimendi’s present situation is a significant change from his first season in north London.
He started 34 Premier League matches and made 13 appearances (11 starts) in the Champions League as Arsenal won the title and made the Champions League final, establishing himself as a regular for most of the campaign.
His form dipped during the closing months, however, with suggestions that Zubimendi, accustomed to the winter break in Spanish football, looked exhausted during his first campaign without one.
With four league matches remaining, Myles Lewis-Skelly was handed his first midfield start against Fulham as Zubimendi was rested.
Lewis-Skelly then moved ahead of him for Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final and final, although Zubimendi continued to feature from the bench.
That has carried into the new season. Zubimendi has been used as a substitute in each of Arsenal’s opening four competitive fixtures, with Lewis-Skelly starting the league games alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
That reduced role is understood to have caught Real Madrid’s attention as they assess their possible January business.
Arsenal, though, are under no pressure to sell as they aim to set up a dynasty.
They paid €60 million for Zubimendi, who is now valued at €75 million and is tied to the club until 2030.
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