Chelsea are in the market for Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi, who has fallen down the pecking order, but Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid both believe they can land the Spanish midfielder

Chelsea are one of three clubs eyeing up a January move for Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi - who is struggling for minutes at the Emirates.

Zubimendi is only into his second year at the Emirates but, after initially being a favourite under Mikel Arteta, the World Cup winner has slipped down the pecking order. As a result his future is the subject of speculation.

The Blues have put the former Real Sociedad midfielder on their radar, but face competition from Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, reports the Independent. Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso was previously in charge of Real Sociedad B and is known to be a fan of the 27-year-old.

Real were keen on Zubimendi last summer when Alonso was at the helm, but it was ultimately Arsenal who won the race for his signature, securing a £60million deal.

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But 12 months later they signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for £75m. The Brazilian bolstered a midfield that already included Declan Rice, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard. Myles Lewis-Skelly is also very much in favour and started ahead of Zubimendi in last season's Champions League final.

All seven of the Spaniard's Premier League appearances have come off the bench this season, underlining his decline having been a first-team regular last season.

The possible sale of Zubimendi could still work in Arsenal's favour with Arteta keen to add a transitional winger. Their options in the final third are still not seen as on par with the likes of PSG and Barcelona, but no major addition will come in without a notable sale taking place.

If Arsenal were to cash in on Zubimendi then they would seek to recoup the £60m they paid nearly 18 months ago. Arteta though has maintained that his compatriot remains an important figure.

“He’s a very important player for us," said Arteta. "He’s been a bit unlucky with what happened with the ankle, with the nose afterwards. He had some minutes as well, and we have options in midfield. Like anybody else, everybody has to be ready.”

It is well documented that Arsenal's squad in the best in the Premier League and, arguably, in Europe. But keeping all of his players happy is going to be Arteta's biggest challenge with so many quality players eyeing minutes in the capital.