Report: Real Madrid plot €60m swoop to hijack Arsenal transfer deal | OneFootball

Zubimendi’s Tug of War: Madrid’s Late Gamble to Thwart Arsenal’s Long Pursuit

Madrid’s Midfield Vision Centres on Familiar Face

Real Madrid’s summer recruitment drive is building towards a familiar crescendo. With Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold pending presentation, and Mastantuono soon to be confirmed, Madrid’s final piece is expected to be in midfield. As reported by AS, the club is preparing a final push for Martín Zubimendi, the Real Sociedad anchor long considered destined for Arsenal.

Xabi Alonso, newly installed as Madrid’s head coach, sees Zubimendi as the ideal bridge between Toni Kroos’s control and Luka Modrić’s rhythm. The 26-year-old San Sebastián native knows Alonso well, having worked under him at Real Sociedad B and sharing the same representative. Their shared roots in Zubieta, Real Sociedad’s academy, only deepen the bond. It’s little wonder that Alonso “is clear that he would like Zubimendi to be the signing in the middle.”

Arsenal’s Advantage Blunted by Player’s Preference

For Arsenal, the sting here is more about timing than money. They have been working on this deal for months, with Mikel Arteta viewing Zubimendi as a perfect addition to their possession-first system. The Gunners are prepared to meet his €60 million release clause and are offering a contract worth €10 million per season. Yet Madrid sense an opportunity—not because they can beat the bid financially, but because of Zubimendi’s own hesitations.

Photo: IMAGO

Madrid is counting on the midfielder’s “desire to stay in Spain” and the trust he’s developed with Alonso. That bond has proved enough for Zubimendi to pause his Arsenal move, knowing the door to North London may still be open should Madrid falter. He is intrigued by the idea of wearing white at the Bernabéu and becoming a key figure in Alonso’s modernised setup.

Financial Chess in Final Hours

Madrid’s last-ditch strategy is as much about diplomacy as money. Rather than paying the €60 million clause outright, they’re hoping to structure a creative deal involving a loan or player exchanges—leveraging their strong relationship with Real Sociedad. Castilla stars or fringe first-teamers could be used as bargaining chips to soften the blow of losing Zubimendi.

Still, salary remains a sticking point. As AS notes, Madrid is prepared to offer only €6–7 million annually in a progressive contract, meaning Zubimendi would need to “give up some money” to join. That trade-off, however, might be tolerable for a player eager to remain in Spain and play under Alonso’s guidance.

National Pride and Squad Balance

There’s also a secondary motivation at play. Madrid want to improve their domestic identity within the national team. As AS reports, “in the previous squad, only one Real Madrid player was selected,” and increasing that number is a growing objective. Zubimendi, alongside Huijsen, Carvajal and possibly Carreras, would form a Spanish core capable of influencing both Madrid and La Roja’s fortunes.

Zubimendi, described as a “Kroos-style player who can play almost 100 passes per game with a completion rate above 90%,” represents a natural evolution of Madrid’s midfield. With Alonso at the helm and Zubimendi within reach, the white shirts of the capital may yet steal away Arsenal’s long-gestating prize.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From an Arsenal fan’s perspective, this one stings. The idea that we’ve scouted, tracked, and offered top money for Zubimendi, only to potentially lose him at the final hurdle, is painfully reminiscent of past transfer frustrations. While Arsenal have undoubtedly improved in recent windows—Declan Rice being a prime example—this saga reveals how personal relationships and national loyalty can still outweigh financial firepower.

Fans will rightly ask why Arsenal weren’t more aggressive earlier. If Zubimendi was always a key target, why wasn’t the release clause triggered before Madrid could gather steam? The worry is that even when the club does everything right on paper, they can still lose out to legacy and sentiment. Real Madrid’s appeal, coupled with Alonso’s influence, looks like it’s tilting this in their favour.

That said, if Madrid can’t meet the asking price or match Arsenal’s salary offer, there remains a window of hope. Arsenal’s project is attractive, their wage offer strong, and their need for a midfielder clear.