Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea have revived their interest in Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi ahead of the January transfer window but face competition from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
The Blues were one of a number of clubs to express interest in signing Zubimendi last summer but the Spanish World Cup winner ended up staying at Arsenal.
Zubimendi enjoyed a bright start to his Arsenal career following a £60m move from Real Sociedad in 2025 but became a less influential figure in Mikel Arteta’s side towards the end of last season.
The 27-year-old appeared fatigued in the second-half of the campaign and lost his place in the team, with a then 19-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly starting the Champions League final ahead of him.
Zubimendi saw the intense competition for places at the Emirates Stadium only increase in the summer as Arsenal spent £75m to sign Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United.
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As a result Zubimendi is still waiting for his first Premier League start of the season, with his lack of game-time sparking renewed speculation over his future in north London.
Zubimendi’s frustrating spell at Arsenal has not put off potential suitors, with Chelsea, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all ‘monitoring’ the Spaniard ahead of the January transfer window.
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Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso (Picture: Reuters)
According to The Independent, all three clubs suspect a January deal could be possible and view Zubimendi as an ideal acquisition given he is now a Premier League, World Cup, European Championship and Nations League winner.
It is claimed Arteta still regards Zubimendi as a ‘valuable option’ given Arsenal expect to challenge for both the Premier League and Champions League yet again this term.
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But Arsenal’s desire to sign a new forward in January may depend on a major sale and Zubimendi would be an obvious candidate to be moved on, although the English champions would want to recoup at least the £60m they paid for him 16 months ago.
Xabi Alonso is keen to bolster his options in midfield after Chelsea sold Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City on deadline day last summer and knows Zubimendi well from his time at Real Sociedad.
Jose Mourinho also intends to sign a new midfielder in January and Real Madrid have been huge admirers of Zubimendi ever since he broke through in La Liga.
But Real face competition from arch-rivals Atletico, with reports in Spain claiming Diego Simeone is ‘dreaming’ of signing Zubimendi from Arsenal.
Zubimendi came on as an injury-time substitute in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Hull City on Saturday, a result that sent Arteta’s side six points clear at the top of the table.
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MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 08: Diego Pablo Simeone, head coach of Atletico de Madrid, looks on during the Spanish League, LaLiga EA Sports, football match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium on November 08, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 08: Diego Pablo Simeone, head coach of Atletico de Madrid, looks on during the Spanish League, LaLiga EA Sports, football match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona at Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium on November 08, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images)