'I'm 100% sure': Fabrizio Romano shares what he's now heard about Martin Zubimendi and Real Madrid
Martin Zubimendi’s future at Arsenal has been up in the air recently.
Mikel Arteta signed the Spain international last year after chasing him for two years, and his performances in the first half of the campaign showed why he was so highly sought after.
However, Zubimendi lost his place in the side in the final weeks of the season, and he doesn’t seem to be the first choice anymore.
That has led to claims that Real Madrid and Chelsea want to sign Zubimendi. Fabrizio Romano has now cleared the air on those links.
Fabrizio Romano explains why Chelsea and Real Madrid are being linked with Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi
On his day, Martin Zubimendi is one of the best midfielders in the world.
The former Real Sociedad man has produced a number of incredible performances for club and country, and the way he started his Arsenal career was so promising.
However, fatigue after playing almost every single game caught up with Zubimendi, and that caused a dip in form in the second half of the campaign.
Since then, Myles Lewis-Skelly has nailed down a place for himself in midfield, while Bruno Guimaraes has been brought in for big money.
That has led to rumours about Zubimendi’s future, with Chelsea and Real Madrid both linked with a move to sign him.
However, Romano has rubbished those claims.
He said in his YouTube video: “And then on Martin Zubimendi, many questions, but Mikel Arteta already said that Zubimendi is going to stay at the club.
“I think we got many links between Zubimendi and Real Madrid first, and then Zubimendi and Chelsea at some point, for one reason: the agent. The agent of Xabi Alonso is the same agent as Martin Zubimendi; it’s the same agency.
“Also, there were some links one year ago between Real Madrid and Zubimendi because of the same reason: Xabi Alonso was the coach. For sure, I’m 100% sure about this, it’s not just about the agent. Of course, Zubimendi is a top player. So, obviously, there is appreciation from Xabi Alonso.
“Xabi Alonso has always been a big fan of Zubimendi. He’s a player that Xabi Alonso wanted when he was in discussions to become the new Bayern manager. Zubimendi was one of the names discussed with Bayern in one of the meetings they had.
“Xabi Alonso mentioned Zubimendi as one of the first signings he wanted. Then, he ended up not joining Bayern because he wanted to go to Real Madrid next. But Zubimendi has always been a name appreciated by Xabi Alonso.
“At the moment, Arsenal and especially the coach, Mikel Arteta, made it clear that he wants to keep Martin Zubimendi. So that’s it at the moment.”
That is good news if you’re an Arsenal fan.
Yes, Zubimendi is not the first choice anymore, but he is a tremendous player whose services will be required at some point this campaign.
Arsenal will play around 60 games in all competitions if things go to plan, so Arteta will need as many top-class players as he can get.
Zubimendi certainly checks that box.
