Martin Zubimendi Weighs January Exit From Arsenal As Midfield Standing Shifts

Martin Zubimendi wearing the red and white Arsenal football kit on the pitch

Quick Read

  • Martin Zubimendi is reportedly ready to leave Arsenal in January after losing his regular starting role.
  • The midfielder has not started a Premier League game this season under Mikel Arteta.
  • European giants including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool are monitoring his availability.
  • Arsenal are open to a January departure or loan arrangement, subject to favourable financial terms.

Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi is reportedly prepared to seek a departure from north London when the transfer window reopens in January, according to a report published on Football365. The Spain international, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2025 following a high-profile move from Real Sociedad, has seen his playing time diminish significantly during the current campaign.

According to the reporting, squad adjustments and tactical shifts under Mikel Arteta have pushed the midfielder down the rotation order behind Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes, and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Having failed to start a Premier League fixture this season and remaining an unused substitute in three of Arsenal’s last four league matches, the player is now looking to secure regular minutes to protect his career trajectory.

Midfield Competition and Reduced Minutes

Zubimendi played a key role during parts of Arsenal’s previous Premier League title-winning run, but competition in the central areas has intensified. The summer addition of Bruno Guimaraes alongside the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield roles has left limited room for the Spanish midfielder in the starting eleven.

Consequently, the player’s representatives and European suitors have taken note of his availability. Long-time admirers Football365 reported, citing inside information from TEAMtalk, are monitoring the evolving situation closely as the winter market approaches.

Arsenal’s Stance on a Mid-Season Transfer

Arsenal are reportedly open to sanctioning a departure in January, provided the financial terms and structure of any agreement align with the club’s valuation. The Gunners invested approximately £60 million to secure his signature in 2025, meaning any potential permanent sale or loan arrangement will require careful negotiation.

A loan arrangement remains among the options under consideration, though officials in north London will assess how any deal protects their initial investment. Meanwhile, a host of continental clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund, alongside Premier League sides Liverpool and Chelsea, are keeping close watch on developments as the winter transfer window draws nearer.

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