Real Madrid told €70m Arsenal star “is going to join” in January | OneFootball

Real Madrid have not made a single January signing since 2019, but that streak could be broken in 2027. Jose Mourinho’s side is in need of another midfielder, given they failed to land Enzo Fernandez and Rodri in the summer, so there is scope for them to re-enter the market when the winter transfer window opens.

Real Madrid decided against anyone in the summer once Fernandez and Rodri were off the market because they were not happy with the options available. However, that may no longer be the case in January, given that it’s looking more and more likely that Arsenal and Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi will be available for transfer.

Zubimendi is unhappy with his situation at Arsenal, which has seen him drop down the midfield pecking order. The Gunners are reportedly prepared to let him leave if the right offer arrives, and it’s now been reported by El Confidencial journalist Javi Roldan (via TEAMtalk) that a deal will be done with Real Madrid when the transfer window re-opens.

“Zubimendi is going to join Real Madrid in the winter window. And, with him being a great footballer, he’s going to be a great signing.”

Real Madrid were interested in Zubimendi prior to Arsenal move

Before he joined Arsenal in the summer of 2025, Zubimendi attracted interest from Real Madrid. He was seen as an option to fill the void left by Toni Kroos 12 months prior, but in the end, a serious move was not made. It can be argued that this decision was not the right one, given that struggles that Xabi Alonso, and then Alvaro Arbeloa, had in midfield over the course of the 2025-26 campaign.

Real Madrid could now put things right by signing Zubimendi in 2027. On paper, he could be the missing piece that Mourinho given, given his ability to dictate play is something that no other midfielder at the Bernabeu has.