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Martin Zubimendi to Chelsea: Chelsea have added Martin Zubimendi to their list of midfield targets, according to Simon Phillips of CaughtOffside. The journalist reports that Xabi Alonso is a huge admirer of the Arsenal star and has already made his feelings known internally. That’s as far as it goes for now. No formal talks have started, and nothing suggests a deal is close.
Only a year has passed since Zubimendi swapped Real Sociedad for Arsenal in a move worth around £55.8 million. It turned into an impressive debut campaign. He slotted into Mikel Arteta’s midfield rotation with Declan Rice, helped Arsenal lift the Premier League trophy and featured throughout their run to the Champions League final.
Fresh transfer chatter hasn’t appeared out of nowhere. Arsenal are pushing to complete a £75 million move for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimarães. This signing would change the shape of Arteta’s midfield and leave plenty of questions over playing time.
Alonso already knows exactly what Zubimendi offers
There’s a reason Chelsea are looking in his direction. Alonso worked with Zubimendi during their time together at Real Sociedad B and trusts his ability on the ball. He rarely rushes possession, keeps the tempo under control and offers the sort of composure Chelsea could lose if Enzo Fernández leaves Stamford Bridge. Alongside Moisés Caicedo, that profile makes plenty of football sense.
His numbers back it up. Across 38 Premier League appearances in 2025/26, Zubimendi scored five goals, supplied one assist and completed 90% of his passes while playing 3,005 league minutes. Another 13 Champions League outings brought one more assist as Arsenal reached the final.
Arsenal face an awkward decision
Chelsea’s interest arrives during a period of midfield uncertainty at both clubs.
Andrey Santos has already departed, while doubts continue around Fernández despite Jordan Henderson’s arrival. Henderson adds leadership and experience, though few expect him to become an automatic starter every week.
Across north London, the picture is hardly straightforward either. Bruno Guimarães would expect to walk straight into Arteta’s strongest XI. Declan Rice isn’t moving anywhere. Zubimendi also struggled physically late last season and briefly lost his place to Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Selling a key player to a direct London rival is never an easy conversation to have. Even so, recovering most of the fee spent last summer would help offset Arsenal’s investment in Guimarães and ease financial pressure under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. At this stage, Simon Phillips’ report points only to Chelsea’s admiration rather than active negotiations.