Real Sociedad Sets Price for Zubimendi, Real Madrid Already Knows How Much He Will Cost

The injuries recorded by the first team during the current season have considerably altered the roadmap of the Madrid leaders for the summer 2025 market. One of the most desired signings, far from being a midfielder with great offensive capabilities, is in the completely opposite profile. The sports management has been exploring the European soccer elite for some time in search of a creative defensive midfielder.

Apart from a Joshua Kimmich who could arrive as a free agent to Santiago Bernabéu locker room in less than six months, the name that resonates is Martín Zubimendi. The '4' of Real Sociedad has climbed many positions on the list of potential signings for the white club, becoming the first option to replace Toni Kroos.

The retirement of the former German '8' has caused a striking change at Real Madrid. Without the guidance of the former German midfielder, Carlo Ancelotti's pupils are experiencing a notable game crisis that only receives temporary solutions, thanks to the individual quality of the squad. In search of a playmaker like Kroos himself, the scouts led by Juni Calafat have focused on the txuri-urdin player as the ideal replacement in this matter.

But Real Madrid is not alone in the hypothetical signing of the Spanish midfielder. Besides the white entity, Arsenal has shown a keen interest in transferring the Basque player to integrate an increasingly Spanishized team. During the last summer market, the gunner executives managed to sign Mikel Merino, also a midfielder from Real Sociedad until the last soccer season.

Main Attention

While Arsenal and Real Madrid compete to be the first offeror of Martín Zubimendi, from the offices of Zubieta they don't waste time and send a clear warning. The club that wishes to acquire the services of their '4' before the summer of 2027, the limit of his current contract, must pay the marked release clause. That exit barrier is valued at 60 million euros, the same figure as his market value today.

For the North London squad that figure would mean no problem, as they enjoy a very large transfer budget at the end of each soccer campaign. The situation is diametrically opposite in the offices of Valdebebas, where each operation is measured and carefully planned to maintain balance in the treasury.

As it stands, Real Madrid doesn't lose sight of a Martín Zubimendi who would fit perfectly in the current and future sports project. At 25 years old, this player would be the spearhead of a new trend in Valdebebas: regaining the lost prominence in the Spanish national team.

But there are more options to strengthen the playmaker position that Toni Kroos vacated six months ago. Besides the already mentioned Joshua Kimmich, whose hiring conditions would be more than advantageous, the 'dark horse' in this debate is Dani Ceballos. The '19' from Utrera has surprised everyone at the club with his excellent performance following in the footsteps of the former German '8' at the base of Carlo Ancelotti's tactical scheme.