Atletico Madrid are interested in finalising a deal for Spain international Martin Zubimendi, who could be set to leave Arsenal next year.

The 27-year-old played a prominent role during his debut campaign at the Emirates Stadium, but he has fallen down the pecking order this season following the summer arrival of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United.

Zubimendi has only racked up 380 minutes of action from a possible 1,530 across all competitions so far this term, and it has been widely reported that both Chelsea and Real Madrid are keeping close tabs on his situation in north London.

The Spain star is still yet to start a Premier League match in 2026-27 and rumours suggest that he may look to explore an exit when the January transfer window opens if his game time doesn’t improve over the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Spanish outlet AS now report that Arsenal are open to offloading Zubimendi in order to balance their books after signing Ezri Konsa, Christos Tzolis and the aforementioned Guimaraes over the summer.

It’s claimed that Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino may also be on the move, with Atletico Madrid looking to capitalise on Arsenal’s situation by finalising a deal for Zubimendi, who is regarded as a long-term target.

Diego Simeone’s side contacted Zubimendi’s representatives during his time at Real Sociedad, and they are now eager to finally agree a transfer amid their pursuit of significant midfield reinforcements in 2027.

Arsenal spent €70 million to sign Zubimendi last summer and it’s understood that a sale will not be permitted unless they recoup this figure, with Atleti therefore tasked with making the Spain midfielder their fourth-most expensive signing of all time - behind Joao Felix, Julian Alvarez and Thomas Lemar.

Mikel Arteta wants to keep Martin Zubimendi

While Zubimendi and Merino have both played peripheral roles at Arsenal so far this season, Arteta recently confirmed they remain firmly in his plans at the Emirates Stadium.

“He’s a very important player for us,” Arteta told reporters when asked about Zubimendi ahead of Arsenal’s win against Slavia Prague last week.

“He’s been a bit unlucky with what happened with the ankle, with the nose afterwards. He had some minutes as well. We have options in midfield. Like anybody else, everybody has to be ready. Everybody’s going to have the chances to play, and then it’s about performing and helping the team to win football matches. But his energy, his application, his will to help is over there.

“They are playing a pivotal role,” Arteta added when asked about Merino. “If we [only] focus on the players that are starting, obviously, that’s something else.

“Mikel has started some games already, some important games, and he’s coming from a World Cup, a very successful World Cup.

“We know the value of the players that we have in the squad. They need to feel important.

“I do think that they feel very important, and we have to make sure that they continue like that, because if they have that spirit and that belief within themselves every time they play, they will make things happen for the team to win the game.”