Real Madrid have made contact with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi ahead of a potential move this summer (h/t Marca).
Premier League giants Arsenal have been in talks to sign the Spaniard for months. Despite reaching an agreement with Sociedad to trigger his €60 million release clause, the Gunners are yet to receive the green light from Zubimendi.
The 26-year-old has delayed his decision after hearing about Madrid’s interest, blowing the transfer race wide open.
Madrid’s new manager Xabi Alonso wants to bring in a top-class midfielder in the summer window, with Zubimendi the handpicked target.
A youth product of Sociedad, Zubimendi has grown into one of the best midfielders in La Liga after showing incredible consistency since breaking into the first team.
He has been instrumental in La Real’s resurgence under former manager Imanol Alguacil, becoming regular European contenders and also winning the Copa del Rey in 2020.
Zubimendi was also part of the Spanish team that won the European Championship last year.
He also scored his maiden goal for Spain during the Nations League finals against Portugal last night, though La Roja lost the game via penalties.
Alonso prefers to have a solid holding midfielder in his system, and Zubimendi fits the mould.
The La Real star is highly press resistant, secure with possession and can control the tempo of the game at ease. His positional awareness also allows the rest of the central midfielders to move further up and influence the game.
He is not an aggressive midfielder, but one who relies on his good reading of the game and positioning to prevent counter-attacks and indulge in defensive actions.
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Madrid have already strengthened their armoury with the additions of centre-back Dean Huijsen and right-back Trent-Alexander Arnold.
They are also on the verge of signing River Plate’s Argentine prodigy Franco Mastantuono.