Chelsea could be preparing one of the most controversial transfer moves of the January window: taking Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi across London to Stamford Bridge. The Spanish international has attracted renewed attention after struggling to maintain a regular starting position under Mikel Arteta, while Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is reportedly interested in bringing him to West London.
The Chelsea Martin Zubimendi transfer story is particularly interesting because it connects three major developments in the Premier League. Chelsea are searching for midfield reinforcements following Enzo Fernández’s departure to Manchester City, Arsenal have strengthened their central midfield with Bruno Guimarães, and Alonso has a previous coaching relationship with Zubimendi that could make the proposed reunion attractive.
According to reporting by The Independent on 10 November 2026, Chelsea are monitoring the Arsenal midfielder alongside Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid ahead of a possible January move. The report suggests that Arsenal could consider selling if they receive an offer that allows them to recover their original investment.
However, there is no confirmed agreement between the clubs, no officially announced bid and no indication that Zubimendi has formally requested a transfer.
For Chelsea, this could be an opportunity to acquire a midfielder who understands Alonso’s football philosophy. For Arsenal, it raises a difficult question: should they sacrifice an experienced Spanish international to strengthen another area of the squad, or protect their midfield depth even if his playing time has declined?
Chelsea Martin Zubimendi Transfer: Why Xabi Alonso Wants Him
The strongest connection in this potential transfer is the relationship between Zubimendi and Xabi Alonso.
Before becoming one of Europe’s most respected managers, Alonso worked with Zubimendi during his coaching development at Real Sociedad B. He understands the midfielder’s qualities, his positional discipline and his ability to influence a game without necessarily dominating the statistics sheet.
Alonso has previously spoken highly of Zubimendi’s football intelligence.
In comments quoted by FootballTransfers, he described the midfielder as a player who improves his teammates, generates play and understands the next action before receiving the ball.
That description explains why the Chelsea manager could see him as an ideal addition.
Zubimendi is not simply a defensive midfielder whose main responsibility is winning tackles. His greatest value comes from controlling possession, offering passing angles and helping his team progress the ball through central areas.
These are qualities that become particularly important in a system built around positional structure and controlled possession.
Alonso’s teams generally require midfielders who understand when to hold their positions, when to move into passing lanes and when to accelerate an attack.
Zubimendi’s experience in Spanish football makes him a potentially suitable candidate.
The midfielder has also demonstrated that he can perform at the highest level. Before joining Arsenal, he spent several seasons establishing himself as an important player for Real Sociedad and became part of Spain’s successful Euro 2024 squad.
For Alonso, signing a player whose strengths he already understands could reduce the uncertainty associated with recruiting a new midfielder.
However, familiarity alone does not guarantee success. Chelsea would still need to determine whether Zubimendi can adapt to the physical intensity and demands of the Premier League.
1. Enzo Fernández’s Departure Has Changed Chelsea’s Midfield Plans
The departure of Enzo Fernández to Manchester City on 1 September 2026 created a significant change in Chelsea’s midfield structure.
Chelsea officially confirmed that the Argentine completed a permanent transfer after making 170 appearances and scoring 31 goals for the club.
His departure removed an experienced midfielder who could contribute to build-up play, progression and attacking combinations.
Replacing those qualities is not necessarily about finding another player with identical characteristics. It is about ensuring that Chelsea retain the ability to control matches and progress possession effectively.
That is where Zubimendi becomes interesting.
The Spanish midfielder offers a different profile from Enzo, but his ability to operate in deeper areas could help Chelsea establish greater control during the first and second phases of possession.
With Moisés Caicedo providing ball-winning ability and defensive protection, Zubimendi could potentially offer the positional intelligence and distribution required to connect the defensive and attacking units.
Such a partnership would give Alonso two midfielders with complementary responsibilities.
Caicedo could focus on recovering possession, protecting the defensive line and covering spaces, while Zubimendi could concentrate on organising the build-up and controlling the tempo.
However, Chelsea already have several midfield options.
Romeo Lavia, Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco have featured in Alonso’s midfield plans, while other players can also operate centrally depending on the opponent.
Alonso himself has previously praised the different qualities available to him, explaining that his priority is finding the right balance for each match.
Therefore, the Chelsea Martin Zubimendi transfer should not be interpreted as proof that Chelsea have no midfield quality. Rather, it could represent an attempt to add a particular technical profile that Alonso believes would improve his options.
2. Why Martin Zubimendi Has Lost His Starting Position at Arsenal
One of the most important factors behind the renewed transfer speculation is Zubimendi’s reduced involvement at Arsenal.
When Arsenal signed him from Real Sociedad in July 2025, he was expected to become a major part of Arteta’s midfield structure.
The transfer followed the departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey, creating an opportunity for Arsenal to strengthen the defensive midfield position.
Zubimendi quickly demonstrated why Arteta wanted him.
During the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, Opta records show that he played 38 league matches, accumulated 3,001 minutes, scored five goals and registered one assist.
Those numbers illustrate how important he was during his first season in English football.
His influence was not limited to attacking contributions. He offered Arsenal positional discipline, passing security and the ability to dictate possession from deeper areas.
However, the competitive situation has changed.
Arsenal’s reported £85 million acquisition of Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United has increased competition in central midfield. Declan Rice also remains a major part of Arteta’s plans, while Myles Lewis-Skelly provides another option.
As a result, Zubimendi has found himself operating more frequently as a substitute.
Opta’s latest available Premier League figures on 11 November 2026 show seven appearances and 100 minutes for the midfielder in the 2026/27 campaign, with all seven appearances coming from the bench.
That is a substantial reduction compared with his previous season.
The difference is important because a midfielder of Zubimendi’s age and experience is unlikely to view a limited role as the ideal situation for his career.
Nevertheless, reduced playing time does not automatically mean that Arteta no longer trusts him.
Arsenal’s manager still considers him a valuable squad option, according to The Independent’s reporting.
The more accurate interpretation is that competition has become stronger and Zubimendi’s position is no longer guaranteed.
For Chelsea, that situation creates a potential transfer opportunity.
3. How Zubimendi Could Transform Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea Midfield
The tactical argument is arguably the strongest reason behind Chelsea’s reported interest.
Alonso needs midfielders who can maintain positional discipline, resist pressure and help the team move possession into attacking areas.
Zubimendi has demonstrated those qualities throughout his career.
A deeper playmaker alongside Moisés Caicedo
One possible arrangement would see Zubimendi operating alongside Caicedo in a double pivot.
In this structure, Caicedo could take greater responsibility for defensive coverage, ball recovery and pressing, while Zubimendi would help dictate the rhythm of Chelsea’s possession.
The partnership could provide three important benefits:
- Improved build-up: Zubimendi’s passing ability could help Chelsea progress the ball from their defensive third into midfield.
- Better positional balance: His understanding of central spaces could help maintain structure when Chelsea’s full-backs move forward.
- Greater control under pressure: His composure and awareness could provide another reliable passing option when opponents press aggressively.
This would not necessarily mean that Zubimendi replaces Caicedo or becomes Chelsea’s only defensive midfielder.
Instead, the objective would be to give Alonso more flexibility when selecting his midfield combinations.
Why his positional intelligence matters
A successful possession-based team requires more than technically gifted players.
Midfielders must understand where to position themselves before the ball arrives, how to create passing angles and when to move away from opposition pressure.
Zubimendi’s football intelligence is one of his most valuable qualities.
He is comfortable receiving possession from defenders and moving the ball into more advanced areas without forcing unnecessary passes.
That could help Chelsea reduce the number of situations in which their attackers receive possession with their backs to goal and limited support.
It could also allow players operating between the lines to receive the ball in more favourable positions.
However, Chelsea must consider the physical demands of the Premier League.
Zubimendi’s success would depend on how effectively he adapts to aggressive pressing, quick transitions and the intensity of matches against teams that attack the space behind the midfield.
His technical quality is attractive, but the tactical system must protect his strengths.
4. Arsenal’s £60m Dilemma: Should Arteta Sell to a Premier League Rival?
For Arsenal, the financial and sporting implications are equally significant.
The Gunners reportedly paid approximately £60 million to sign Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in 2025.
According to The Independent, Arsenal would want to recover at least that investment if they decide to sell him.
That creates an important negotiating position.
Arsenal are not under an obligation to accept a reduced offer simply because the midfielder has become a substitute.
His previous performances, international experience and technical qualities remain valuable.
Furthermore, selling him to Chelsea would carry additional sporting risks.
Chelsea are direct Premier League competitors, and Arsenal would be strengthening a rival that is attempting to build a midfield capable of challenging the country’s strongest teams.
A successful transfer could therefore benefit Chelsea in two ways: they would acquire a player who fits Alonso’s tactical preferences while simultaneously reducing Arsenal’s squad depth.
However, Arsenal must also consider the financial implications of keeping a valuable player who is not receiving regular minutes.
If the club wants to strengthen its attacking options, a significant player sale could help finance another major recruitment operation.
The Independent reports that Arsenal are interested in adding a transitional winger, with the club potentially needing a major sale to support that ambition.
Zubimendi has consequently emerged as a possible outgoing candidate.
The decision is not straightforward.
Keeping him would preserve midfield depth and protect Arsenal against injuries and loss of form. Selling him could release funds for another position, but it would also remove an experienced player who has already demonstrated his value in Arteta’s system.
The central question is whether Arsenal value Zubimendi more as a long-term squad asset or as a transfer-market opportunity.
5. Chelsea Face Competition From Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid
Chelsea are not the only club monitoring the midfielder.
The Independent identifies Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid as potential competitors for his signature.
This makes the January situation more complicated.
Real Madrid could view Zubimendi as an opportunity to strengthen their midfield with a player who understands Spanish football and has international experience.
Atlético Madrid could also consider his positional discipline and ability to control possession valuable additions to their midfield.
For Chelsea, the competition means that interest alone will not be enough.
The club would need to present a convincing sporting project, demonstrate that Zubimendi would have an important role and negotiate an acceptable fee with Arsenal.
Alonso’s previous relationship with the player could provide Chelsea with an advantage.
The opportunity to work again with a coach who understands his strengths may be attractive, particularly when his current involvement at Arsenal is limited.
However, there is no public confirmation that Zubimendi has chosen Chelsea over the two Madrid clubs.
His personal preference, Arsenal’s valuation and the financial conditions of any proposal will all influence the outcome.
6. The Financial Reality: Is a £60m Transfer Worth It for Chelsea?
A reported £60 million asking expectation would make this a significant investment.
Chelsea must consider more than the initial transfer fee.
The total financial commitment would also include wages, bonuses, agent costs and the length of the contract.
From a sporting perspective, the important question is whether Zubimendi would improve Chelsea enough to justify that investment.
There are reasons to believe he could.
At 27, he is entering a period in which a midfielder can combine experience, tactical maturity and physical capability.
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He also has substantial experience in La Liga, the Premier League and international football.
Unlike a young prospect who needs several seasons to develop, Zubimendi could potentially contribute immediately.
His previous Premier League season is particularly relevant. Playing 3,001 league minutes in 2025/26 demonstrated that he could handle a demanding English campaign.
However, Chelsea should avoid making a transfer decision based only on his limited minutes at Arsenal this season.
A player receiving fewer opportunities is not automatically a better signing simply because his market situation appears favourable.
The club must evaluate his current physical condition, tactical compatibility and ability to perform consistently.
There is also the question of opportunity cost.
If Chelsea spend approximately £60 million on Zubimendi, they may have fewer resources available for other areas that require improvement.
The recruitment department must therefore determine whether a specialist deep-lying midfielder is a greater priority than strengthening other positions.
What Happens Next in the Chelsea Martin Zubimendi Transfer Saga?
The January 2027 window is approaching, and Zubimendi’s situation is likely to attract further attention.
Chelsea have a clear reason to consider midfield recruitment after Enzo Fernández’s departure. Alonso also has a previous connection with the Arsenal midfielder, making the reported interest understandable.
Arsenal, meanwhile, must decide whether his reduced role justifies considering a sale.
But three major obstacles remain:
1. Arsenal’s valuation: The Gunners reportedly want to recover at least the £60 million invested in the player.
2. Competition: Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid are also monitoring his situation.
3. The player’s decision: There is no confirmed transfer request or agreement with Chelsea.
For now, the story remains at the monitoring and interest stage.
A January transfer is possible, but it is far from guaranteed.
Conclusion: A Smart Chelsea Move or a Dangerous Arsenal Mistake?
The Chelsea Martin Zubimendi transfer could become one of the most interesting Premier League stories of the January window.
For Alonso, it represents the possibility of signing a midfielder whose technical qualities and football intelligence match important elements of his preferred style.
For Chelsea, it could help address the changes created by Enzo Fernández’s departure and provide another option alongside Moisés Caicedo.
For Arsenal, it is a difficult balancing act between financial flexibility and maintaining the depth required to compete across multiple competitions.
Yet the most interesting element is the possibility of Zubimendi moving directly from Arsenal to Chelsea.
If that happens, Arsenal could find themselves strengthening a Premier League rival with a player who already understands the demands of English football.
Chelsea may see Zubimendi as the missing piece in Alonso’s midfield project. Arsenal may see him as a valuable asset whose departure could finance another important signing.
The January window will reveal whether either club is prepared to turn that possibility into a serious transfer.
Would Arsenal be making a mistake by selling Martin Zubimendi to Chelsea, or would it be a smart financial decision given his reduced playing time? Share your thoughts in the comments.
