Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP via Getty Images
Xabi Alonso has got all of the signings he’s wanted so far, with Chelsea spending north of £350m on 11 new additions. But any chance Alonso had of landing his dream midfielder is now over.
Pep Chavarria’s imminent arrival as a Chelsea player will see the Blues take spending north of £350m, having agreed five deals before Alonso and six more – including Chavarria – since he was appointed.
With the defence sorted, the current goalkeepers set to be relied upon and the final third completed, Chelsea have been touted with signing another midfielder despite Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco.
A few suggestions have been put forward. Chelsea maintain an interest in signing either Alex Scott or Adam Wharton this summer, while reports of Alonso eyeing a move for an Arsenal star have surfaced.
Alonso hoping Chelsea sign Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi
With the Gunners finally completing the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, Arsenal’s other midfielders are likely to be considering an exit, and Zubimendi could be one after his poor first year.
According to reports, Alonso has been pushing the Chelsea hierarchy to consider a move for Arsenal ace Zubimendi. The Spaniard shares plenty of traits with Alonso, both having come through at Real Sociedad.
Arsenal Trophy Parade
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
While Chelsea have added Henderson and Barco to boost their squad, the need for another midfielder is still there, with doubts still surrounding duo Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo, and if they are good enough.
Zubimendi, obviously, takes Chelsea’s quality in the middle of the park to a new level. The ideal player to go alongside Moises Caicedo and give Enzo Fernandez some freedom, if Chelsea use that formation.
Alonso’s chances of Zubimendi signing hit a Mourinho halt
But any chance Chelsea had of striking an ambitious deal for the Spain star has come to a halt, with Jose Mourinho now keen to lure him to Madrid. Marc Cucurella has shown the difference between the sides.
He jumped at the chance to join Mourinho’s revolution despite being a product of the La Masia youth team. According to Sebastien Vidal, Madrid have now made an enquiry to sign Zubimendi from Arsenal.
He said on X: “Real Madrid has inquired about Martin Zubimendi. Arsenal demanding €90M [£77m], and Chelsea is also in the race. The Gunners have no intention of parting with the Spanish world champion.”
If Zubimendi is given the choice between a Chelsea side not in Europe, or a Real Madrid outfit managed by Mourinho fighting for the Champions League, then there really is only one choice – it’s Real Madrid.
Mourinho and Madrid then seem to have thrown a spanner in the works for Alonso and Chelsea, as Madrid come back to haunt the Blues gaffer again. Mourinho is building an exciting side over in Spain.