From England comes discouraging news for Real Madrid regarding their pursuit of Martín Zubimendi. Specifically, sources within Arsenal suggest the club is feeling very confident—despite the deal not yet being officially signed, they believe the transfer is effectively done and dusted.
As a result, Zubimendi appears to be slipping out of Madrid’s reach, and the club is now turning its attention to alternative options, including evaluating developments at the upcoming Club World Cup.
The match in the United States will serve as an important testing ground for Xabi Alonso’s project. His tactical approach remains something of a mystery, and that game could reveal whether he opts for a three-man backline or a traditional four-man defense.
In either case, Huijsen is expected to play a central role, particularly due to his ball-handling skills. With Zubimendi looking increasingly out of reach, Madrid is already counting on Huijsen’s potential contribution.
If the Club World Cup shows that the team can effectively build from the back with Huijsen distributing the ball to midfielders like Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Valverde, and Güler, the club may decide to hold off on making further signings and wait for better opportunities to arise.
One such tempting possibility is Spanish midfielder Rodri. The Ballon d’Or winner is under contract with Manchester City until 2027, but by the summer of 2026, he will have only one year remaining—a point at which City could be pressured into selling to avoid losing him on a free transfer.
That said, any move for Rodri remains a long shot at this stage. Zubimendi represents a minor setback in Madrid’s transfer plans, but the club found it nearly impossible to intervene in a deal that Arsenal had been quietly finalizing for quite some time.
In recent days, Madrid made a last-minute attempt to reach the player, aware that no contract had yet been signed. But with Arsenal prepared to pay the €60 million ($69M) release clause in one go and offer a salary well beyond Madrid’s pay scale for a newcomer, there was little the Spanish club could do.