Are Real Madrid about to hijack Arsenal's move for Martin Zubimendi? | OneFootball

Arsenal were confident of securing £50million deal in January

In demand: Real Madrid have reportedly entered the race for Martin Zubimendi

Getty Images

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

.The Gunners were confident in January of tying up a deal for the midfielder, who has a release clause of around £50million.

Arsenal are looking to revamp their midfield this summer as both Jorginho and Thomas Partey, who are over 30, are out of contract at the end of the season.

Zubimendi - dubbed ‘the Gen-Z Sergio Busquets’ - is an ideal replacement and can operate as a No6 at the base of midfield.

There is nothing concrete to suggest a deal with Arsenal is off and the reports in Spain continue to note how the Gunners are the frontrunners.

News of Real Madrid’s interest emerged in Spanish newspaper AS last weekend, with the outlet reporting they are still on the hunt for a successor to Toni Kroos after he retired last summer.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Vitinha was mentioned as an alternative to Zubimendi, with the report in AS stating: “The biggest difficulty for Madrid is that Arsenal is well advanced in the deal and is willing to pay the €60m buyout clause”.

Real Madrid are said to be monitoring the situation, though, especially given the uncertainty around Carlo Ancelotti.

The Madrid boss has, again, been linked with taking over Brazil this summer and that would open the door for Xabi Alonso to replace him.

Alonso enjoys a very close relationship with Zubimendi and coached him in Real Sociedad’s B during the early part of his career.

The report in AS has since been followed up by Spanish radio station COPE, who also claim Real Madrid want Zubimendi.

They have been more bullish than AS, stating that the release clause is not an issue and now it is up to Zubimendi to decide where he wants to go.

It would appear that the first transfer saga of the summer has begun weeks before the window has even opened.