Chelsea named as one of three teams interested in £60m January move for Premier League winner

Chelsea are one of three teams being most strongly linked to Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal ahead of a potential January move.

Well connected reporter Miguel Delaney of the Independent has today written a long story about the future of Martin Zubimendi at Arsenal.

The former Real Sociedad man signed for the Gunners in the summer of 2025 but has never established himself as an untouchable player. He’s now apparently up for sale, with a move in January possible. Chelsea, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are all named as potential destinations by Delaney.

His current coach Mikel Arteta sees Zubimendi as a “valuable option”, but favours Bruno Guimaraes, Declan Rice and Myles Lewis Skelly ahead of him. Arsenal would like to sign a winger, and accept that selling Zubimendi is the best way to fund that. They want to “at least” recoup the £60m they paid for him.

Chelsea’s midfield currently has Moises Caicedo as the undisputed starter, with Romeo Lavia and Jordan Henderson starting alongside him in recent games. Zubimendi would certainly be seen as an upgrade on the 36 year old England midfielder. Youngsters like Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli are regularly named on the bench and featured in the Carabao Cup in central midfield in earlier rounds.

Alex Scott is regularly linked as another potential signing.

Chelsea are now 10 games into the Xabi Alonso era, and some fans and pundits are starting to get upset about a lack of progress.

Mike Penders has spoken out after Chelsea’s defeat and tried to point to some positives.