Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso could hijack Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi deal
Mick Brown
Mon 9 June 2025 13:05, UK
Martin Zubimendi’s head has been turned by interest from Real Madrid as they are prepared to hijack his move from Real Sociedad to Arsenal this summer.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that both clubs are in contact with the 26-year-old’s camp.
This comes after his move to Arsenal had been seemingly agreed earlier this year.
But the player cast doubt over his move to the Emirates as he confessed: “Of course, there are options… It’s a long summer and I don’t know how it will end.” [via Football365]
Brown told Football Insider in February that Zubimendi’s move to Arsenal has been complicated by Madrid’s interest and they will force him to make a big decision.
Los Blancos, now under the management of Xabi Alonso, are eyeing a major squad overhaul and see the Spain international as a replacement for Luka Modric.
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The midfielder is believed to be considering all of his options and has yet to put pen to paper, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Arsenal
Martin Zubimendi is widely expected to join Arsenal this summer. (Credit: Imago)
Real Madrid ‘complicating’ Martin Zubimendi’s Arsenal move
Arsenal remain the favourites to land Zubimendi this summer after Brown told Football Insider revealed Mikel Arteta wants to sign a world-class midfielder.
However, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted the interest from Real Madrid has become a potential issue for the Gunners.
“His head has been turned by the interest from Real Madrid,” he told Football Insider.
“I’ve said on a number of occasions, players find it very difficult to turn down Real Madrid.
“There aren’t to many players I’ve ever worked with who have been able to say no to them, like what we saw with Cristiano Ronaldo at Man United.
“They’ve got a bit of a rebuild on their hands there with the new manager coming in.
“He’s a player they’re looking at because Luka Modric is going to leave.
“At the moment, it seems like Arsenal will be the club Zubimendi joins, but Madrid are making it more complicated that it initially seemed.
“They’ll both be speaking to him, so he’s got a big decision to make.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta is planning a busy transfer window. (Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Morgan Gibbs-White update emerges at the Emirates
On top of their interest in signing Zubimendi, Arteta is eyeing further improvements to his midfield, with Morgan Gibbs-White also on their radar.
Brown told Football Insider that Gibbs-White would be interested in joining Arsenal as he wants to play in the Champions League next season.
Arteta is keen to add some drive to his midfield alongside Declan Rice, and views the England international as the perfect option.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 24 May that Arsenal have joined Man City in the race to sign Gibbs-White and are keeping an eye on his situation.
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