Goodbye to Barça: he doesn’t want to play with Lamine Yamal, prefers the Real Madrid with Mbappé.
Real Madrid continues to closely monitor the movements of several players in the upcoming summer transfer market as they look to strengthen their first-team squad.
The club is focused on finalizing the generational shift that began in the summer of 2018. This process is nearing its completion, leaving defense as the only position yet to receive young talent in recent years. However, the club’s executives are still looking to sign a midfielder for the upcoming summer of 2025.
The retirement of Toni Kroos last summer created a significant void in Madrid’s midfield that, until recently, had not been satisfactorily filled. Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical experiments, however, have been resolved thanks to the rise of Dani Ceballos, whose recent excellent performances have established him as a potential replacement for the legendary German midfielder, though with differences in style. While the Madrid leadership values Ceballos’ contributions, securing another midfielder remains a priority.
In this context, the name Martín Zubimendi has been frequently discussed in the halls of Valdebebas. The Real Sociedad player could leave the club at the end of the current season, which has attracted the attention of several top European clubs, including Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.
Despite Barcelona’s interest in Zubimendi, the midfielder has made it clear that he prefers to join the project led by Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. This decision places his move to Madrid almost in the bag, and the responsibility now lies with Florentino Pérez to finalize the deal.
With the option to activate Zubimendi’s €60 million release clause, Real Madrid could secure a defensive and creative midfielder that they have long sought. He would be an excellent complement to the current midfielders and form a strong partnership with Ceballos, who shares a similar profile.
If Madrid executives decide not to pursue the transfer, Zubimendi will quickly explore offers from the Premier League, with Liverpool and Arsenal already showing interest. However, the Basque player has made it clear that he will wait for Real Madrid’s final decision before considering other options.
