Arsenal could be about to get a taste of what Liverpool experienced last summer, with the Gunners’ move for Martin Zubimendi now looking to be in jeopardy.
The midfielder of course snubbed a move to Anfield last year after the Reds had looked to have been on the verge of his signature. To rub salt into the wounds of Liverpool’s already displeased transfer chiefs, Zubimendi looked to be lining up a move to its Premier League title rival, despite indicating he had no intentions of leaving Real Sociedad.
Just as he looked to be on the verge of a move to North London though, yet another twist has emerged.
According to football.london, Real Madrid is now looking to hijack Arsenal’s deal. Although Zubimendi’s move to the Gunners is already at an advanced stage, the situation remains open.
Arsenal is said to remain confident that a deal will get over the line, with Zubimendi having already verbally agreed to the move and just having a medical left to complete.
Madrid though has plenty of pulling power, as Liverpool knows only too well after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to the Bernabeu, and given Zubimendi’s dramatic U-turn with the Reds last year, there may be fears at the Emirates Stadium that the Gunners could now experience a similar fate.
What’s more, Real now has an added weapon that could well turn the 26-year-old’s head.
Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad looks on during the LaLiga match between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club at Reale Arena
Real Madrid is looking to hijack Arsenal's deal for Martin Zubimendi (Image: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Getty Images)
The Spanish giant of course appointed Xabi Alonso as its new head coach earlier this summer, with the former Liverpool midfielder taking over from Carlo Ancelotti after a successful couple of years at Bayer Leverkusen.
Before making his move to Germany, Alonso was in charge of Sociedad’s B team, where he worked closely with Zubimendi, helping to develop him into the player that has now courted interest from the world’s biggest clubs over the past 12 months.
Speaking about Zubimendi in The Spirit of Real Sociedad documentary, Alonso said: "How good he was on the pitch, he didn't quite believe it off it. I told him 'Look, Martin, you have to accept it.'"
Alonso would also give some insight into Zubimendi’s relationship with Sociedad, which perhaps explained his decision to ultimately turn down Liverpool.
"When you talk about a nice player project, Martin's case is perfect,” Alonso explained. “Players of this level, who have been fighting for the project for so many years and see the potential it has; that is because many things are being done well."
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Fanatics Official Sports Apparel — Liverpool
That explanation may not carry much weight if Zubimendi ends up completing a move to Arsenal, but it could also offer up a warning to the Gunners.
Given his connection with his boyhood club, it would make perfect sense if he were to relish the opportunity to work with Alonso again, who also came through the ranks with the club.
Real had already been linked with Zubimendi before Alonso’s appointment, and the former midfielder’s arrival at the Bernabeu perhaps made it inevitable that the club would step up its efforts to sign him, even if a deal was already well underway with Arsenal.
Now, Arsenal will be praying Alonso can’t turn his protege’s head too much, with Mikel Arteta risking losing major ground as Liverpool looks to be getting a head start on next season, with Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez looking likely to be joining Jeremie Frimpong at Anfield soon.