Real Madrid has turned its sights toward a new target in the transfer market after its efforts to sign Manchester City star Rodri failed, as he preferred to move to Barcelona this season.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho’s request to sign a midfielder prompted club president Florentino Perez to consider a familiar name: Arsenal star Martin Zubimendi, according to the newspaper "Sport".
Many English press reports indicated that Arsenal’s signing of Brazilian Bruno Guimarães could reduce Zubimendi’s chances of featuring for the London club in the new season, so the club does not rule out his departure.
Despite his importance in coach Mikel Arteta’s plans last season, where he featured in every Premier League match for the London side, the club does not want the player’s market value to drop as a result of reduced playing time.
In fact, the Spanish player had already lost his prominent role toward the end of the season, to the point that he did not start in the Champions League final.
Moreover, Arsenal needs to sell some players to provide the necessary financial flexibility to continue strengthening the squad in key positions, such as the left wing.
This is where Real Madrid’s name emerges; the Royal Club had shown interest in the Basque midfielder last summer, before he moved to Arsenal from Real Sociedad for around 60 million euros.
Zubimendi significantly raises the ambitions of the Royal Club, especially in the possession phase, and moreover, Florentino Perez may succeed in compensating for the missed Rodri deal, after the latter preferred to move to Barcelona instead of Real.
However, the 27-year-old midfielder’s arrival depends on reaching an agreement with Arsenal and on the departure of one of the Merengues’ players, given that all spots in the first-team squad are currently occupied.