Chelsea one of three clubs keen on Arsenal star Martin Zubimendi for January transfer

Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are monitoring Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi ahead of a potential January move.

The three clubs all have a need for a midfielder, and the Spanish international is viewed as one of the few of a high level potentially available in the next window.

Having initially been a fixture in Mikel Arteta’s midfield after a long-awaited £60m move from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2025, Zubimendi fell out of favour towards the end of last season’s title run.

The Arsenal manager still sees him as a valuable option in a midfield where he likes having a number of potential configurations, but the squad now has an abundance of options in that area after the £85m purchase of Bruno Guimaraes in the summer.

Arteta has been using the Brazilian and Declan Rice as his primary midfield two of late, with Myles Lewis-Skelly oftern in the mix as well, and that comes as he also intends on bolstering a comparatively thin forward line in the summer.

Arsenal want a transitional winger – a fast player who can carry the ball up the pitch quickly – but are unlikely to move without first making a major sale.

That is what has led the two Madrid clubs and Chelsea to feel a deal may be possible for Zubimendi, who is seen as making the most sense as an outgoing.

Should that be possible, it would be expected Arsenal want to recoup the £60m at least.

Despite falling out of favour, Zubimendi was still a key player in a title season, and played a significant part in the Ferran Torres goal that won Spain the World Cup in July.

The Spaniard is currently wearing a protective mask while he plays after suffering a suspected broken nose during the closing stages of Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton last month.

Having come on as an 80th minute substitute, Zubimendi took a blow to the face and required treatment – but has been deemed fit enough to play, while donning the facewear as the injury heals.