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News
- 37 minutes ago
Arsenal play surprise role in Enzo Fernandez transfer saga
Cameron Smith
- 17 Oct 2025 14:29 BST
- 4 min read
News
Arsenal’s capture of Martin Zubimendi this summer could inadvertently lead to Real Madrid completing the signing of Chelsea superstar Enzo Fernandez.
Zubimendi, 26, was expected to join Liverpool in 2024, however rejected a move to Arne Slot’s side in favour of remaining at Real Sociedad for an additional year, and he eventually opted to sign for Arsenal in July.
Current ETV
Martín Zubimendi
DM, M (C)
Arsenal
Martín Zubimendi
DM, M (C)
Arsenal
ETV Range
€58.9M - €72M
The Spain international was also on Real Madrid’s transfer radar, and Los Blancos were eager to add him to their first-team squad following the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.
Signing a replacement for departed club legend Luka Modric was deemed a priority for the new Real Madrid boss, however a transfer failed to materialise and he has been forced to wait until 2026 before bolstering his options in midfield.
Reports in Spain speculate that Alonso is desperate to sign at least one new central midfielder next year and a number of high-profile stars have subsequently been linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Moises Caicedo (Chelsea), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Angelo Stiller (Stuttgart), Kees Smit (AZ Alkmaar) and Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) are all reportedly being monitored by the Real Madrid hierarchy, although it’s understood that Enzo Fernandez is currently the club’s top target.
Enzo Fernandez to Real Madrid?
Fernandez has been touted to complete a bombshell move to Real Madrid for several months and Fichajes have even claimed that Alonso has “demanded” the signing of the Chelsea midfielder.
This has been backed up by CaughtOffside, who claim that Fernandez is firmly on Real Madrid’s transfer wishlist, alongside his international team-mate Alexis Mac Allister.
Los Blancos were eager to sign Zubimendi this summer, but his move to Arsenal has forced the Spanish giants to turn their attention to acquiring Fernandez in 2026.
However, the Argentina international still has over six-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract at Chelsea and rumours suggest the Blues will not consider a sale unless they receive an offer of at least €138 million (£120m).
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