Before we get going it’s probably best to have recap on where we are with Martín Zubimendi.
Last summer he was on the verge of a move to Liverpool before cancelling the transfer and deciding to stay at his beloved Real Sociedad instead.
Ahead of this summer, it’s Arsenal who have been trying to get the Basque footballer to put pen to paper. The Gunners are willing and able to pay his €60m clause to La Real, and it’s been reported for much of this year that they’ve got him secured.
Indeed, the Spanish media raised the white flag for any Real Madrid chance on multiple occasions, but recently started to pull that flag down and increase optimism of a possible deal.
Claims from England of Zubimendi having scheduled an Arsenal medical were rubbished on the same day. After Real Sociedad said they’d like to keep the midfielder, the player himself made it clear his future isn’t decided.
Speaking last week, Zubimendi said: “Of course there are options, but it’s true that it seems like it’s going to be a different, long summer, and I don’t know how it’s going to end. I don’t think thinking about that right now is my priority. I’m here with the national team, which I think is already quite demanding, and if I have to say something, then I will.”
On Xabi Alonso, who managed Zubimendi during his youth career, taking over at Real Madrid and therefore Los Blancos being tempting, the player said: “I’ve always said he’s been my idol. I was lucky enough to have him coach me in the reserve team during a very important year, and then I made it into the first team. I don’t like to talk about hypotheticals; I like to talk about reality. It would be disrespectful to answer while I’m with the Spanish national team in such an important competition.”
The feeling in Spain has been that Zubimendi would actually prefer to sign for Real Madrid, and that Los Blancos are considering it.
Sunday’s edition of Spanish newspaper AS has a big article on Real Madrid now deciding there’s no better option for midfield than the Real Sociedad player. Eintracht Frankfurt’s Angelo Stiller had been under consideration, but it’s stated Xabi Alonso would prefer Zubimendi.
The problem for Real Madrid is when it comes to finances. It’s not that they can’t pay the €60m clause, more that they don’t really want to and would prefer to try and bring the amount down by loaning players to Real Sociedad.
Should that be refused then they’ve got a decision to make on whether to pay the clause or walk away.
The next problem is salary. According to AS, Arsenal are offering €10m wages after tax. Real Madrid wouldn’t want to match this, instead preferring to pay €6-7m in the first year of a contract, presumably again after tax, and increasing it from there.
AS state: ‘But, in any case, if Zubimendi wants to play for Real Madrid, he’d have to give up some money; Real Madrid’s offer won’t reach Arsenal’s limits.’
Real Madrid now plan their ‘final offensive’ to try and ruin Arsenal’s transfer plans.