Martin Zubimendi isn’t going anywhere without a fight.
Arsenal have slapped a €90 million (£77m) price tag on their World Cup-winning midfielder, and that figure tells you everything about the club’s stance. Real Madrid want him. Chelsea want him. But the Gunners aren’t interested in making life easy for either.
It’s a bold number. It’s also a deliberate one.
Zubimendi only arrived at the Emirates last summer in a €65m deal from Real Sociedad. He signed a five-year contract. He helped Arsenal win their first Premier League title since 2004. And he lifted the World Cup with Spain just weeks ago in the United States.
So why are we even talking about a sale? Two words: Bruno Guimarães.
The Bruno Factor
Arsenal’s £75m swoop for Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães has reshuffled the midfield deck. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Brazilian’s arrival has left Zubimendi in a “precarious position,” with his starting spot no longer guaranteed.
That might be overstating things. But there’s no denying the context.
Zubimendi featured in 57 competitive games last season — two more than Declan Rice. He scored five Premier League goals and contributed an assist across 38 league appearances. Those aren’t the numbers of a squad player.
However, a knee injury mid-season disrupted his rhythm. His form dipped noticeably from March onward. And by the time Arsenal reached the Champions League final against PSG, Zubimendi found himself watching from the bench as Myles Lewis-Skelly took his place.
That end-of-season fade is what’s given Real Madrid and Chelsea hope.
Xabi Alonso’s Personal Mission
Chelsea’s interest isn’t random. It’s driven entirely by one man: Xabi Alonso.
The new Chelsea boss coached Zubimendi during his time in charge of Real Sociedad B between 2019 and 2022. Both are graduates of the same academy. The connection runs deep.
Alonso previously tried to bring Zubimendi to Real Madrid during his brief spell in charge there. He failed — Zubimendi chose Arsenal and fellow Basque Mikel Arteta instead.
Now at Stamford Bridge, Alonso hasn’t given up. Chelsea journalist Simon Phillips reported that Alonso has directly communicated his interest to the club’s ownership group, BlueCo. And FootballTransfers noted that Zubimendi has previously called Alonso an “idol.”
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are also circling. They see Zubimendi as a potential long-term replacement in the mould of the deep-lying midfielder they’ve lacked. But they’d face the same €90m barrier — and competition from Chelsea on top.
Why Arsenal Should Hold Firm
Here’s the thing. Selling Zubimendi would be short-sighted.
Arsenal are defending Premier League champions competing on four fronts. Rice, Guimarães, and Zubimendi together give Arteta an embarrassment of riches in midfield. That’s exactly the depth required for a squad chasing trophies in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup simultaneously.
Fabrizio Romano addressed the situation directly on August 1, stating that Arsenal have no plans to sell Zubimendi despite signing Guimarães. Romano noted that the two are “different players” and that the Guimarães deal isn’t about replacing anyone.
FootballTransfers echoed that stance, reporting that Zubimendi remains a key part of Arteta’s long-term plans. A move to Chelsea or Real Madrid, they concluded, simply won’t happen this summer.
The €90m asking price reinforces that. It’s not an invitation to negotiate. It’s a deterrent — a way of saying, “he’s not for sale, but if you’re really serious, here’s what it’ll cost you.”
At 27, with a World Cup winner’s medal, a Premier League title, and four years left on his contract, Zubimendi holds significant value. Selling him to a direct rival like Chelsea, or strengthening Real Madrid for the Champions League, makes zero strategic sense.
Can Zubimendi handle a rotation role? That remains the question. But for Arsenal, keeping three elite midfielders ready for a gruelling season isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
Don’t expect the Gunners to budge on this one.
