Arsenal star 'keen' on Real Madrid move amid lack of game time

Credit: Getty Images

Real Madrid's decision to pass on Martin Zubimendi in the summer of 2025 is being revisited in the Spanish capital — and the midfielder is reportedly open to finally making the move.

According to Football365, the World Cup winner is keen on a switch to the Bernabeu and would want Arsenal to sanction a sale should Madrid intensify their interest, as is expected in one of the next two transfer windows.

The move that didn't happen

The report claims Zubimendi wanted to join Madrid when he left Real Sociedad and only moved to north London because the Spanish club never followed up on its initial interest. Xabi Alonso had specifically asked Madrid to sign him, but the hierarchy insisted the squad already had enough midfield options and did not need another.

That stance is now said to be under review. With Madrid struggling in the middle of the pitch, the club has reportedly opened the door to signing Zubimendi in a bid to correct what it views as an earlier mistake.

Arsenal, of course, won that race in 2025 and installed the Spaniard as a central pillar of Mikel Arteta's midfield. The suggestion that he could be persuaded to leave will inevitably unsettle supporters who saw his capture as one of the club's most significant recent pieces of business.

Arteta's stance

The backdrop to all of this is a season in which Zubimendi has struggled for regular playing time. Even so, Football365 report that Arteta still regards him as an important member of the squad and does not want to lose him, viewing him as a player capable of contributing at the highest level.

That position makes a January exit extremely unlikely. Arsenal have little incentive to sanction a mid-season departure for a player their manager continues to value, and replacing a midfielder of that profile in a compressed winter window would be close to impossible.

A summer move is described as far more plausible. It would give Arsenal time to assess their midfield options, identify a suitable replacement and decide on their own terms whether to enter negotiations with Madrid.

Uncertainty ahead

The immediate consequence of Madrid's renewed interest is uncertainty. A player who is reportedly willing to consider the move, combined with a club prepared to submit a serious offer, creates pressure Arsenal did not have to manage a year ago.

Much may hinge on Zubimendi's minutes between now and the end of the campaign. Should he force his way back into consistent starts, the conversation changes; should the lack of game time persist, Madrid's pitch becomes easier to make.

It is worth noting that Football365 are not in the tier of Fabrizio Romano or David Ornstein when it comes to transfer scoops, and nothing here suggests a formal approach has been made. For now, this remains a report of intent rather than concrete movement.

Arsenal's response will likely be shaped over the coming months, with the summer window looming as the point at which the club may have to decide between holding firm and accepting a substantial offer.