Arsenal set €70m price tag ahead of January window

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Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Real Madrid are interested in signing Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi during the upcoming winter transfer window, according to reports in Spain.

The 27-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium over the past few months and it’s understood that he is willing to explore a possible exit next year if he continues to be overlooked by Mikel Arteta.

Zubimendi lost his starting XI place to Myles Lewis-Skelly at the back-end of last season and he has been unable to work his way back into favour so far this term. The Spain international has featured in all six of Arsenal’s matches this campaign, however he is still yet to make a start and he has racked up just 82 minutes of action from a possible 540.

Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis-Skelly are all favoured ahead of Zubimendi as things stand and while Arsenal will soon be faced with a congested fixture schedule, there is no guarantee that he will work his way back into a starting XI berth.

As a result, several clubs across Europe will likely be monitoring his situation, with Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso believed to be tracking the progress of the Spaniard amid the Blues’ pursuit of a new central midfielder.

In addition, Real Madrid are also interested in signing Zubimendi, as per a report from Spanish outlet Sport.

It’s claimed that Los Blancos are eager to bring Zubimendi to the Bernabeu after missing out on Rodri this summer, with Jose Mourinho’s side regarding the Arsenal star as one of the best central midfielders in Europe.

Arsenal paid Real Sociedad a fee worth €70 million to sign the 27-year-old last summer and it’s reported that Arteta’s side value him at the same price now. However, it remains to be seen if the Gunners will be amenable to a sale in January as they look to win the Premier League and the Champions League this season.

What has Mikel Arteta said?

Zubimendi was heavily linked with an Arsenal departure over the summer, but Arteta was quick to shut down rumours suggesting that a sale would take place.

“Zubi without a doubt was one of the best players for Arsenal last season,” the Gunners boss told reporters in August.

“Without him we would never get into the position that we got in the last few weeks and he deserves massive credit. He deserves some credit from all of us, all the coaches, myself and especially his team-mates.

“We know that without him we would never reach the level and the way that we competed throughout 10 months. At the end, yeah, he didn't play that much. He still played some important minutes but he didn't play that much.

“But no one can neglect the importance of what we did and how important he is for us. So that's something that's important to comment because a lot of people end with the taste, 'No, but this player played in the Champions League final'.

“This guy did it for 10 months. Otherwise we weren't here and we wouldn't be playing in those finals. I think he deserves a lot of credit for that.”