Martín Zubimendi could be spending his final months in London, according to a report from Spain's Radio Nacional (RNE), which says Atlético Madrid could be one of the main clubs interested in signing him. Arsenal reportedly need to sell players to balance their books, and the Basque midfielder is being named as one of those who could help with that goal.
The report describes a positive working relationship between the two clubs and says Zubimendi is keen to secure regular first-team football again.
According to the report, Arsenal plan three significant contract renewals limited to players considered indispensable 'starters', while the rest could be sold to ease the club's finances, following the path of Gabriel Martinelli, who moved to Al Hilal for almost €70 million. Other players expected to possibly change clubs in the coming months, per the report, include Gyökeres and Mikel Merino alongside Zubimendi.
Atlético Madrid reportedly had Zubimendi as a target even while he was still at Real Sociedad, making overtures at that time, but he had already agreed everything with Arsenal. The report states that after a disappointing first half of the season, Zubimendi is now one of those marked to leave the Emirates Stadium in the short term — not over attitude or quality, but out of necessity.
The report notes that, unlike last season, when he was competing until March to be considered the Premier League's signing of the season, his role has been drastically reduced to that of a squad player following the arrival of Bruno Guimarães, who has settled in well at the English champions. Zubimendi has reportedly played just 380 minutes across 12 matches this season, with only one full match, against Slavia Prague in the Champions League. The report describes this as a poor return for a player Arsenal paid €60 million for less than two years ago.
Per the report, Arsenal will seek to recoup that investment, with a strong possibility of Zubimendi returning to LaLiga during the January transfer window.
