Two Atletico Madrid players have gone public about wanting Martin Zubimendi at the Metropolitano, and Spanish radio has gone a step further by floating a swap with Julian Alvarez.
Alex Baena called the Arsenal midfielder the second-best holding midfielder in the world on Monday night, and Pablo Barrios added his own praise on Tuesday. Both spoke after reports that Atletico are looking at a January move.
None of it means a deal is close. But it is the clearest sign yet that the interest in Spain is real, and that Atletico’s dressing room would welcome him.
What did Baena say about Zubimendi?
Baena was asked about the Arsenal man on Cadena SER’s El Larguero programme, and he did not hold back. “I’d love Zubimendi to come to Atletico,” he said. “He’s the second-best holding midfielder in the world, because Rodri is ahead of him.”
The fellow Spain international went on: “Hopefully he can come, because he would be a great addition to the team and to the dressing room, because as a person he is also great.”
Barrios, back in the Spain squad this week, was asked the same question on RNE’s Radiogaceta de los Deportes. “He’s a great player, I love him,” he said, while making clear that signings are not his decision.
Are Atletico really interested in Zubimendi?
The reports say yes. According to RNE, Atletico are interested, and AS say they have confirmed it. Atletico already sounded out his camp when he was at Real Sociedad, before he agreed to join Arsenal, and he has stayed on their list since.
RNE also raised the idea of a swap involving Julian Alvarez, the striker Arsenal tried to sign in August. That one sounds far-fetched for now. Atletico’s asking price for Alvarez has been put at around €150m, and they already have Morten Hjulmand, Koke, Barrios, Johnny Cardoso, Rodrigo Mendoza and Obed Vargas in midfield.
Atletico are not alone, either. Chelsea, now managed by Xabi Alonso, who coached Zubimendi in Real Sociedad’s B team, and Real Madrid have also been linked.
Why is Zubimendi out of the side?
Mostly because of the man in the clip above. Bruno Guimaraes arrived in the summer and has slotted straight in next to Declan Rice, while Mikel Merino is fit again. Zubimendi has managed only around 100 Premier League minutes this season, and the full 90 against Slavia Prague in the Champions League was a rare start.
It is a big fall for a player Arsenal paid about £60m for in 2025, signed from Real Sociedad as the long-term answer at the base of midfield. He started well, but Myles Lewis-Skelly took his place in the run-in last season, and he has not got it back. We looked at why he is ready to consider a January exit earlier this month, and why Mikel Arteta would rather keep him.
Should Arsenal let Zubimendi go to Atletico?
Our view: only on Arsenal’s terms. His contract runs until 2030, so there is no pressure to sell, and a loan to a rival would be the worst of both worlds.
But a player of his quality sitting on the bench for a whole season helps nobody. If Atletico, or anyone else, come in with a fee close to what Arsenal paid, the money could go straight into the winger or striker this squad needs. Baena and Barrios can ask all they like. The fee is what will decide it.
