Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on the touchline during Arsenal's friendly against Real Betis
Martin Zubimendi could make a shock move to Real Madrid this summer, according to talkSPORT's Alex Crook.
The Arsenal midfielder has seen his future at the club called into question in recent weeks, despite only moving to north London in a £55million deal last summer.
Martin Zubimendi celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Nottingham Forest4
Zubimendi's future at Arsenal is already in doubt - just a year after he joined from Real Sociedad
Zubimendi enjoyed a memorable debut season with the Gunners, making 57 appearances in total as he lifted the Premier League title.
Despite being a virtual ever-present in his side's league glory - starting 34 of their 38 games - doubts have emerged over whether he will continue to be a key player in the upcoming campaign.
Mikel Arteta has bolstered his Arsenal midfield this summer in apotential blow to Zubimendi's playing time.
The £75m arrival of Bruno Guimaraes sees him join Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze as the leading options in the centre of the park.
Meanwhile, although Myles Lewis-Skelly - who was preferred in midfield in the Champions League final - has beenoffered to clubs, doubts remain over Zubimendi's future at the Emirates Stadium.
Don't rule it out
Amid ongoing speculation over Zubimendi's next move, London rivals Chelsea are amongst the clubs to be linked with the 27-year-old.
However, talkSPORT's Chief Football Correspondent Crook has instead tipped him for a sensational move back to Spain, claiming Arsenal could need to offload players due to their embarrassment of riches.
talkSPORT understands Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli are expected to leave before the end of the transfer window, with the duo both left of the squad for Gunners' Community Shield victory over Manchester City.
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Speaking on Monday's Sports Bar, Crook said: "They need to sell somebody, if you look at the absentees from the squad [in the Community Shield] - no Gabriel Martinelli, no Gabriel Jesus...
"They're in this luxurious position where they've got at least two players for every position, they've almost got too many players.
Martin Zubimendi with the 2026 World Cup trophy4
Zubimendi has enjoyed an incredible 2026 - winning the World Cup and Premier League
Bruno Guimaraes after Arsenal's 2026 Community Shield victory4
Summer signing Bruno Guimaraes started ahead of Zubimendi in Arsenal's Community Shield victory
"I wouldn't rule out Zubimendi going to Real Madrid."
Zubimendi to Real Madrid: The logistics
As things stand, no approach has been made by the Spanish giants for Zubimendi.
However, they could well be in the market for a new centre midfielder after missing out on Manchester City superstar Rodri.
Spain's World Cup-winning captain, and Zubimendi's international teammate, initially appeared to be headed for the Santiago Bernabeu, having opened talks over a move.
However, after the player then indicated his preference to join Barcelona, talkSPORT understands a fee in the region of £65.3m has now been agreed for Rodri to join Real's bitter rivals.
Should Los Blancos make a move for Zubimendi, they would be getting a player with a similar skillset to Rodri.
Rodri in action for Spain at the World Cup4
Rodri's imminent move to Barcelona could prompt Real Madrid to explore a move for his Spain teammate and positional rival Zubimendi
The Arsenal midfielder has served as back-up to Rodri on the international stage, with the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner the first choice in holding midfield in Spain's Euro 2024 and recent World Cup glory.
Zubimendi featured just once in La Roja's triumph in North America this summer - a 21-minute cameo off the bench in their final victory over Argentina.
Despite his limited role, Spain manager Luis de La Fuente hailed the Gunners star as the 'second best' midfielder in the world.
On Rodri, De La Fuente said: "He’s the best player in the world in his position, knowing that we haveMartin Zubimendibehind him, who is also another great player, surely the second best in the world."
Zubimendi certainly acquitted himself well in his debut season at Arsenal, scoring six goals and providing three assists in 57 appearances across all competitions.
As well as Premier League glory, he made 13 appearances in last season's Champions League, as the Gunners' lost out to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in the final.