Transfer Canceled, Florentino Stops a 'Certain' Real Madrid Deal

Real Madrid Has Several Targets in This Summer's Transfer Market. Beyond the essential operations to reinforce the weakened defensive line, severely affected this season by injuries, the club's executives are seriously considering making a signing for the midfield. Toni Kroos's retirement has left the white midfield orphaned of a playmaking pivot, a situation that would worsen with the hypothetical departure of Luka Modric.

To solve that dilemma, different options have emerged across the European soccer elite, but only one has stood out with notable proximity: Martín Zubimendi. Real Sociedad's '4' has become one of the footballers permanently on the white radar. Indeed, his soccer skills would fit the tactical demands of the first team starting this season.

Signing Martín Zubimendi, despite his 60 million euro release clause, seems like a 'sure' and expected operation for a team like Real Madrid. According to 'OKDiario' information, from the Valdebebas offices, they are about to rule out signing the txuri-urdin midfielder for two reasons. The first, as pointed out by the digital outlet led by Eduardo Inda, is the amount required to force the team change.

The 60 million euros of his release clause don't convince the merengue board. The executives led by Florentino Pérez consider that it's a too high price to pay for the Spanish footballer, a major obstacle for executing the transfer this summer. At the same time, they believe that the position Zubimendi would occupy in the first white team is already covered with other players.

They Consider Other Options

Real Madrid understands that signing Martín Zubimendi wouldn't be necessary due to the presence of two footballers: Dani Ceballos and Arda Güler. The role of the Utrera '19' has a clear justification this season, as he was the only one capable of following Toni Kroos's path during the first months of 2025. The unfortunate injury to his right knee during the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals ended an excellent streak.

However, the white sports management learned a lot from those matches in which the Sevillian midfielder took control of the team's play and creation of opportunities. The second footballer that the merengue bosses consider essential, while also ruling out the arrival of Martín Zubimendi, is an Arda Güler with little prominence this season.

His residual role under Carlo Ancelotti's tactical command could change for the next season. Not only because of the good performance he's shown in recent matches, reminding Madrid fans of the talent he has in his boots. Also due to the succession of the Reggiolo coach by Xabi Alonso: the Tolosa coach would more often bet on the Altindag attacking midfielder in his initial tactical schemes.

Real Madrid, therefore, considers that this midfield position is covered with Dani Ceballos and Arda Güler in Santiago Bernabéu locker room. This way, they would avoid investing 60 million euros in Martín Zubimendi, preferring to give prominence to the players who are already part of the merengue sports discipline.