The future of Martin Zubimendi is uncertain as a result of purported transfer interest in the Arsenal midfielder from the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid

Mikel Arteta's preference of having multiple midfield options at Arsenal may be stretched by Chelsea and Real Madrid's interest in Martin Zubimendi. The Spaniard is seemingly a fourth choice midfielder, nearly 18 months after his £60million arrival from Real Sociedad.

The Spaniard fell behind Declan Rice and Myles Lewis-Skelly towards the end of last season, and is now competing with £75m man Bruno Guimaraes for a place in midfield. Arteta likes having multiple midfield options, but the Gunners also want to invest in their front-line.

They failed in attempts to sign Vinicius Jr, Julian Alvarez and Morgan Rogers last summer, and are still keen on adding a new dynamic forward to their front line.

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With Zubimendi still attracting admiring glances, it may be difficult to say no to an offer for the World Cup winner. According to the Independent, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are monitoring his future, meaning a transfer bidding war is a possibility.

He has been eyed as a potential option in the January transfer window by each club. Chelsea failed to sign a central midfielder in the summer after a late move for Lamine Camara collapsed in the final stages of the market.

The Blues did manage to complete a deal for Jordan Henderson, but they sold Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for £125m and were unable to replace him.

At present, Chelsea have Moises Caicedo, Henderson, Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco as central midfield options, with Reece James often being deployed in the middle. However, Lavia, James and Caicedo have endured many injury issues in 2026, while Barco has struggled at times for the west Londoners.

Zubimendi would be an immediate solution to a Chelsea midfield which has struggled to keep the ball under Xabi Alonso this season. Arteta may not be keen on selling his midfielder to a rival in Chelsea, but Arsenal equally need player sales to fund a big money move for a new attacker.

With Rice, Lewis-Skelly, Guimaraes and even Mikel Merino also available as options, cashing in on the Arsenal No.36 would be a quick fundraiser. Zubimendi is currently playing with a protective mask, after being struck in the nose during the recent 2-0 home victory over Everton.

This season, he has not featured for more than 30 minutes in a Premier League game, and has only played 41 minutes of top flight football since the 3-0 away defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in September. When asked about Zubimendi's lack of game-time in a recent press conference, Arteta said: "He's [Zubimendi] a very important player for us.

"He's been a bit unlucky with what happened with the ankle, and with the nose afterwards. He had some minutes as well, and we have options in midfield. Like anybody else, everybody has to be ready.

"Everybody is going to have the chances to play. Then it's about performing and helping the team to win football matches. But his energy, his application and his will to help are unquestionable, and he's an unbelievable player for us."