- Real Madrid have placed Martin Zubimendi at the top of their transfer wishlist
- In January, Arsenal had virtually agreed to sign Zubimendi for £51m this summer
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Real Madrid have reportedly made Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi their primary transfer target this summer after ‘already agreeing’ a deal to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold at the end of the season.
According to reports in Spain, the LaLiga giants are certain to land Alexander-Arnold when his Liverpool contract expires on June 30 – and have now already turned their attention to the next player on their transfer wishlist.
Zubimendi, 26, has attracted interest from a host of top clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City over the last few months, with Mail Sport exclusively reporting in January that a £51million deal had virtually been agreed with the Gunners ahead of the summer transfer window.
However, reports in Spain now claim that Real Madrid are looking to hijack Arsenal’s move and have placed Zubimendi as their new No 1 target for the summer.
Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen is also high on Los Blancos’ transfer wishlist after an impressive campaign at the Vitality Stadium.
According to AS, Real Madrid want to be well positioned to land Zubimendi when the time comes, having only made informal contact with the star.
Real Madrid have reportedly made Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi their main transfer target
It comes after Real Madrid reportedly agreed a deal to sign Trent Alexander Arnold this summer
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were set to land Zubimendi for £51million during the summer window
The Spanish newspaper claims that the groundwork has already been done and that Real Madrid are ready to launch a pursuit for the 26-year-old as soon as the window opens.
It is understood Madrid, like Arsenal, would be willing to pay the £51m buyout clause in Zubimendi’s contract.
A move to Arsenal would see Zubimendi reunite with former Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino, who has been forced to play further forward in recent weeks amid a damaging injury crisis at the Emirates.
The star netted the winner in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Chelsea last time out, keeping their four-point lead over Nottingham Forest in third.
Mikel Arteta’s side sit 12 points behind Liverpool at the summit of the Premier League with nine games to go, with a crucial Champions League tie against Real Madrid up next in the quarter-finals of the competitions.
Arsenal had hoped to sign Zubimendi back in January but the LaLiga outfit urged that he must remain there at least until the end of the season.
Zubimendi chose to stay in Spain last summer despite varying degrees of interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, though it is understood the Gunners didn’t make a formal offer for the player during that time.
Arsenal’s need for a new central midfielder ahead of next season has been heightened with Jorginho and Thomas Partey both out of contract at the end of the season.
Dean Huijsen is also on Real Madrid’s radar after an impressive season with Bournemouth
Zubimendi chose to stay in Spain last summer despite attracting interest from several top clubs
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are keen to bolster their engine room with club veteran Luka Modric set to turn 40 in September.
Should he agree to join Carlo Ancelotti’s side, Zubimendi would join Modric, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos in a star-studded midfield.
