Arteta hints Zubimendi turned down Real Madrid: 'To come with us...'

One of Real Madrid's major needs for the 25/26 season, also expressed by Xabi Alonso after the Club World Cup, is a creative midfielder. In this regard, the Merengue leaders explored the transfer market to find a player who fit that profile and could act as Kroos's "heir".

It hasn't been an easy task, but the executives led by Florentino Pérez have been getting closer to and ruling out different alternatives. One of the most talked-about options, for which in theory they wouldn't have intervened to prevent his departure to the Premier League, is the pivot Martín Zubimendi.

The former Real Sociedad player is now a full-fledged Gunner, a move that greatly pleases Arsenal's coach. Mikel Arteta has made it clear that "Zubimendi left very good opportunities to come to us", hinting at a possible approach from other elite European clubs to the Spanish footballer.

Indeed, Real Madrid, as well as other top-level teams in the Old Continent, were keeping an eye on the process that would bring Zubimendi himself to Emirates Stadium. In the end, that transfer has become a reality, but there was fear of a hypothetical intervention by Real Madrid that could have completely changed the dynamics of that transfer at the last minute.

Permanent doubt

"It's very impressive what we've seen in the last 7 or 10 days," says Mikel Arteta. The ties with Xabi Alonso, whom Martín Zubimendi considers an idol, were a powerful reason to try to change the future of the now former Real Sociedad player. The words of his new coach suggest that not only Arsenal wanted his footballing services.

There will always be doubt regarding Real Madrid, which still hadn't established Arda Güler as its main playmaker on the field. The changes and decisions made by Xabi Alonso, especially during the Club World Cup held in the United States, are aimed at filling some notable absences of great tactical importance.

Apart from those comments about Martín Zubimendi's future, Real Madrid seems to have focused on other profiles to rebuild Santiago Bernabéu's locker room this very summer. The main priority is currently at the heart of the defense, given that only Dean Huijsen is Xabi Alonso's certainty in that position, which has been hit by injuries.

While it's true that the Merengue sporting management is still looking for a creative midfielder, Martín Zubimendi is no longer on the list of future prospects. Not only because of his recent addition to Arsenal's ranks, but also because the executives led by Florentino Pérez were never convinced about signing him in the first place.