Just a month after helping Arsenal lift their first Premier League title in 22 years, Martin Zubimendi reportedly wants to leave. And he doesn’t just want any move anywhere — he wants Real Madrid.
According to Football365, the Spain international has told his representatives to open negotiations with Los Blancos. It’s a stunning reversal for a player who dismissed the very same links back in April. So what’s changed?
The answer, it seems, is Bruno Guimaraes.
Arsenal are actively pursuing the Newcastle captain, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that personal terms have already been agreed. The Gunners have tabled multiple bids, the latest worth £70m. Spanish reports suggest Zubimendi now “believes that Arsenal no longer count on him” as their first-choice midfielder.
That’s a bitter pill after a debut season where he:
- Featured in all 38 Premier League matches
- Scored five league goals and added one assist
- Formed a rock-solid partnership with Declan Rice
- Played a key role in Arsenal’s run to the Champions League final
For a player who gave the club everything last season, you can understand the frustration.
From Commitment to Doubt
Rewind to April, and Zubimendi was singing a very different tune. After Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final win over Sporting CP, he told Cadena SER that he wasn’t paying attention to Real Madrid speculation.
Goal.com reported him saying he was “very happy” at the Emirates and that any talk of Madrid was “all in the past.” He even called the links “not a bad thing,” brushing them off with the confidence of a player who felt valued.
But that was before Arsenal made their intentions in the transfer market crystal clear. The aggressive pursuit of Guimaraes has evidently shaken Zubimendi’s sense of security. And can you really blame him?
Real Madrid’s Midfield Puzzle
Here’s where it gets complicated. Real Madrid aren’t simply waiting with open arms.
Their primary midfield target this summer is Rodri. According to Sky Sports Germany, Real Madrid are now “intensively” working on a deal for the Manchester City star, who gave the green light after winning the 2026 World Cup Golden Ball with Spain. FootballTransfers reported that Florentino Perez, once sceptical, has come around to the idea.
If Real Madrid land Rodri, where does that leave Zubimendi? Probably out in the cold.
The Hard Tackle noted that Arsenal “have little reason to sanction a sale unless an exceptional offer arrives.” And Onda Cero journalist Alberto Pereiro went even further, flatly stating “NO” when asked if Zubimendi would end up at the Bernabeu this summer.
So the path to Madrid isn’t exactly wide open.
What Happens Next for Arsenal?
Arsenal’s position is clear: they don’t want to sell. Zubimendi’s contract runs until 2030, so the club holds all the leverage. There’s no release clause drama here like there was at Real Sociedad.
But a player who doesn’t want to be somewhere can become a problem quickly. If Zubimendi digs his heels in, Mikel Arteta faces an awkward balancing act — keeping a disgruntled midfielder happy while simultaneously trying to bring in his replacement.
Football365 also reported that Zubimendi’s agents are exploring options at Barcelona, not just Real Madrid. That widens the scope of this saga considerably.
For now, Arsenal fans shouldn’t panic. The club paid around €70m for Zubimendi just last summer. They won’t let him walk without a fight — or without a fee that reflects his value. And with Guimaraes potentially arriving, Arteta may simply be building a stronger, deeper squad rather than pushing anyone out.
Still, this saga feels like it’s only getting started. A player who went from “I’m very happy here” to instructing his agent to negotiate an exit in three months? That’s the kind of storyline that tends to drag on well past deadline day.
