According to reports, Arsenal are considering sacrificing Martin Zubimendi so they can sign a new winger in January.

In recent days, the Gunners have emerged as firm favourites to win the Premier League title for a second successive season, while they will also be hoping to go far in the Champions League again.

This is despite Arsenal having a mixed summer transfer window, with Mikel Arteta‘s side missing out on several targets.

Arsenal improved their squad with the signings of Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa, Piero Hincapie and Christos Tzolis, but they failed with moves for Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola and Vinicius Junior.

Despite this, the Premier League holders let Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri leave in the summer, and they are now short in attack.

Therefore, it’s hardly surprising that it has been widely reported that a new left winger and a striker are priorities for Arsenal in the coming months.

But a new report from The Independent claims Arsenal would need to sell a valuable asset to land a new attacker in January, and this could open the door for Zubimendi to leave.

Arsenal fended off competition from elsewhere to sign Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for around £60m last summer.

Zubimendi was an integral player for a large portion of the 2025/26 campaign, but he was out of the starting XI by the end of the season and has fallen in the pecking order after Guimaraes’ arrival this summer.

The Spain international is yet to make a Premier League start this season and The Independent claims he ‘could be available’ in January amid interest from Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

The report adds:

‘Arsenal want a transitional winger – a fast player who can carry the ball up the pitch quickly – but are unlikely to move without first making a major sale.

‘That is what has led the two Madrid clubs and Chelsea to feel a deal may be possible for Zubimendi, who is seen as making the most sense as an outgoing. Should that be possible, it would be expected Arsenal want to recoup the £60m at least.’

Another report from The Independent claims Bournemouth standout Junior Kroupi is Arsenal’s top target of four options for the wing department as long as Zubimendi or another player leaves.

Alex Baena, Endrick and Antonio Nusa are said to be Arsenal’s other targets, though their chances of landing Kroupi have also surfaced.

The report claims: ‘Should [a notable exit] happen, Arsenal would be expected to use the money to buy a wide player, with Arteta wanting a transition player who can carry the ball up the pitch at pace and also be effective in tight spaces.

‘Kroupi is the ideal candidate, but it is seen as unlikely that Bournemouth do a deal until the summer.’