Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi has officially played down speculation suggesting he could join Real Madrid during the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Spain international joined Mikel Arteta’s side from Real Sociedad for a fee of €70 million last year and his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has already risen beyond the €80m mark following an excellent debut season at the Emirates Stadium.
Zubimendi has established himself as an integral player for the Gunners this term, racking up 48 appearances across all competitions so far this campaign, and he is expected to play a key role yet again next year, despite the club’s interest in Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali.
However, reports in Spain have suggested that Real Madrid are keeping close tabs on Zubimendi’s situation as they look to tempt him back to La Liga after just one season at Arsenal.
Los Blancos are in the market for at least one new central midfielder this summer, after failing to replace Luka Modric last year, and it’s rumoured that Zubimendi has been earmarked as an alternative to fellow targets Vitinha, Enzo Fernandez and Kees Smit.
Despite this, the 27-year-old has revealed that he has no intention of leaving Arsenal during the upcoming summer window.
Confirmed: Martin Zubimendi responds to Real Madrid transfer speculation
Speaking to Cadena SER after Arsenal progressed to the Champions League semi-finals following a 1-0 aggregate victory over Sporting CP, Zubimendi was asked about Real Madrid’s interest in his signature.
The midfielder, who won the UEFA Man of the Match award for the second-leg on Wednesday night, admitted (via Metro): “I have no answer, but I haven’t been paying much attention to all that.
“I think that’s all in the past and I have other things on my mind. It’s not a bad thing.”
With Zubimendi expected to remain at Arsenal this summer, Real Madrid will be required to pursue an alternative midfield target, with two players likely to be targeted as the club look to offload Eduardo Camavinga – who was sent off during their Champions League exit to Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
The Frenchman has been heavily linked with a Bernabeu exit in recent months and his chances of remaining at the club have undoubtedly been harmed following a foolish red card that ended Real Madrid’s bid to win a 16th Champions League title this season.
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