Real Madrid join Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool in race for star midfielder

Real Madrid have reportedly elbowed their way into the competitive race to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, although the Spanish champions will face competition from a glut of Premier League clubs.

Zubimendi has quickly become one of the most highly sought-after midfielders in European football. A San Sebastian native who didn’t make his top-flight debut until turning 20, the Spain international has impressed domestically and on the continent in recent years.

A slight, upright holding midfielder who managed an impressive four league goals last season, Zubimendi was on the verge of joining Liverpool last summer only to remain with La Real. The 25-year-old explained that he felt he would develop more as a player in La Liga, but is thought to be open to a move out of his comfort zone in 2025.

While Liverpool haven’t yet discarded the notion of nabbing Zubimendi, Arsenal and Manchester City are also interested in the central schemer. However, the juggernaut force of Real Madrid has now lumbered into the ring of suitors, according to the Spanish publication AS.

Madrid view Zubimendi as the long-term successor to Toni Kroos. The German maestro retired last summer and has not been adequately replaced. Carlo Ancelotti has cycled through a combination of Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde and the wisened Luka Modric in a desperate bid to replicate Kroos’ unique output, which has delivered mixed – at best – results.

An underwhelming start to the 2024/25 campaign – which still saw Madrid collect two trophies – has encouraged the club to step up their pursuit of Zubimendi. Any move for the midfielder will have to wait until the summer – as Real Sociedad’s sporting director Roberto Olabe was all too keen to point out.

However, Madrid and their Premier League rivals know the fee that it will take to extract Zubimendi from San Sebastian. In a market where elite central midfielders regularly command nine-digit sums, the Euro 2024 winner has a release clause of just €60m (£50m).