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Limited minutes after a strong opening can shift a player’s thinking about their long-term future at a club. A midfielder who arrived with high expectations and early impact can find himself used sparingly when form or competition changes. Reports now suggest that situation has led to a clear preference for a return to Spain.
The player joined from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2025 for around £60m after interest from several major clubs. He began brightly yet saw his role reduced later in the campaign and has featured only sparingly this season. That reduced involvement has kept exit talk alive.
Spanish reports indicate he is keen for his representatives to pursue a move as quickly as possible. Any deal would still depend on concrete interest from the buying club and the selling side’s willingness to negotiate. Experts have cautioned against allowing him to leave given the demands of the season ahead.
Martin Zubimendi wants to join Real Madrid as soon as possible, according to Football365. The Spain international joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad in the summer 2025 transfer window for around £60m. This was considered a major coup after Liverpool and Real Madrid previously targeted the talented midfielder, and he made a brilliant start to life at Arsenal.
However, Zubimendi seemed to run out of steam towards the end of last season and was replaced in the first XI by Myles Lewis-Skelly. He has not recovered from this setback. So far this season the 27-year-old has only been a bit-part player, playing 197 minutes in his eight appearances across all competitions.
This has fuelled reports linking him with a potential exit, with Real Madrid mooted as a possible destination. A report from Spanish outlet Nacional claims Zubimendi hopes his agents will secure him a move to Real Madrid, with the player keen for this deal to go through as soon as possible. The transfer depends on several factors, with Arsenal holding the key.
The report explains that for the possibility to move forward, his representatives would first have to confirm whether Real Madrid has concrete interest. Arsenal’s position would then come into play, as they retain the ability to decide his future. A lack of playing time might prompt the player to explore other options, but it does not obligate the club to accept a departure. It would also be necessary to determine whether the move could be structured as a transfer or through some other means.
European football expert Andy Brassell recently warned Arsenal against selling Zubimendi. “I think he could still be a success in the Premier League,” Brassell told talkSPORT. “I think with the amount of games that Arsenal are still hoping to play this coming season and the amount of games you’d expect Arsenal to play in this coming season, they shouldn’t be ushering him out the door.
“They should be holding on to him because we’ve seen that he’s a top-level player. He’s a trusted Rodri replacement for the national team. He’s done that well in successive finals in Euro 2024 and in World Cup 2026. So I think it would be very short-sighted, especially when you look at the physical condition that Declan Rice finished the World Cup in. I think it’d be really short-sighted for Arsenal to get rid of him now.”
The situation remains fluid while Arsenal assess their midfield options for the remainder of the campaign.