Arsenal set MASSIVE price tag for Martin Zubimendi as Chelsea and Real Madrid circle after Bruno Guimaraes deal
Arsenal have left Martin Zubimendi in a precarious position following the blockbuster arrival of Bruno Guimaraes, with Real Madrid and Chelsea now circling the Spanish midfielder. Despite only joining the Gunners last summer, Zubimendi's status as a guaranteed starter has vanished as Mikel Arteta reshapes his midfield engine room with the Brazilian's £75 million addition as part of his third major signing of the summer window.
The Fall From Favour
Zubimendi's dramatic change in circumstances has unfolded rapidly at the Emirates. The Euro 2024 winner enjoyed a promising start to his Premier League career but struggled for consistency during the title run-in, notably being left out of the starting lineup for the Champions League final against PSG. His form dip during the final months of the previous campaign has been followed by a significant shift in his standing within the squad as Arteta pursues a different midfield dynamic.
The implications of this shift have not gone unnoticed. Jamie Carragher delivered a blunt assessment of the midfielder's future prospects, stating: "Do you think it's the end for Zubimendi there? He was supposed to come in and be this controller. I don't see him ever getting that place back now." Carragher's comments reflect a growing consensus that Arteta is moving away from Zubimendi's role as the team's primary orchestrator.
European Giants Circling
The uncertainty surrounding Zubimendi has attracted serious attention from two of Europe's biggest clubs. Real Madrid have maintained their interest while Chelsea have emerged as active suitors, with manager Xabi Alonso reportedly the driving force behind the Blues' pursuit. Alonso is said to be pushing the Stamford Bridge hierarchy to secure Zubimendi's signature, viewing him as a vital component for his tactical setup in West London. The two European heavyweights' competition could spark a bidding war that satisfies Arsenal's high asking price, as the London club has sent a clear message regarding the midfielder's future following Guimaraes' arrival.
Alonso's interest is rooted in prior familiarity, having managed Zubimendi during his time at Real Sociedad's reserve team, offering the Blues manager confidence in reuniting with a player whose qualities he knows intimately.
Guimaraes' Game-Changing Impact
The Brazilian's arrival has fundamentally altered Arsenal's midfield landscape. Guimaraes was officially announced on Saturday and introduced to the fans at Emirates Stadium before the match against Borussia Dortmund. The 28-year-old, who captained Newcastle to Carabao Cup success, brings both physical presence and technical security to the engine room—precisely the qualities Arteta appears to be prioritizing as he shifts his tactical approach.
Arteta explained the reasoning behind the signing: "We want to go to the next level and are very very much convinced that we're going to need players with such a personality, desire and character to push everybody inside the organisation to go even higher." He outlined what Guimaraes specifically brings: "On the pitch versatility to play in two different positions. A player which obviously has tremendous timing and intuition to win the ball back and progress play very very fast. He's a player that is very comfortable putting people through, moving between the lines, moving in behind. And then he's a goal threat. He's got a smell and a really good timing to get in the box."
With Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino all vying for midfield spots alongside Guimaraes, Zubimendi now finds himself further down the pecking order in a crowded department. The Brazilian's arrival has left little room for the Spanish midfielder to reclaim his former prominence, effectively forcing the issue as far as his future at the club is concerned. Arsenal's refusal to budge on their asking price suggests they are prepared to let interested parties bid for his services, with the escalating interest from Real Madrid and Chelsea potentially offering the midfielder an escape route from his diminished circumstances in north London.