Report: Midfielder in Real Madrid Sights as Arsenal Stall Over Summer Transfer | OneFootball

Project Youth Begins at the Bernabéu

Real Madrid are ready to shake the foundations of European football once more, with an audacious triple swoop designed to inject youth and Spanish identity into a squad already basking in the glow of recent LaLiga and Champions League triumphs.

As first reported by AS, Florentino Pérez and his recruitment team are pushing forward with moves for three players: Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen, and Real Sociedad’s midfield lynchpin, Martin Zubimendi. Each target addresses the club’s two pressing aims — reducing the average age of the squad, now above 27, and amplifying Spanish representation in the first-team ranks, currently an underwhelming six players.

The urgency and precision with which Madrid are acting speaks volumes. They’ve never rested on silverware, and the looming prospect of generational change — with Luka Modrić, Toni Kroos and Dani Carvajal all entering their twilight years — has accelerated a refresh that could leave rivals flat-footed.

Photo: IMAGO

Zubimendi Pursuit Raises Arsenal Alarm

Of the three targets, it’s the Zubimendi saga that threatens to send shockwaves through North London. Arsenal have long admired the Spanish metronome, and reports dating back to January suggested the Gunners had “virtually completed” a deal to bring the 26-year-old to the Emirates. His €60m release clause was a known hurdle but one they were ready to clear.

Yet here we are in March, and Arsenal still haven’t activated the clause, nor have they finalised personal terms. The longer the delay, the greater the risk — and Real Madrid have sensed blood in the water.

Photo: IMAGO

“Madrid is wary of going that far. But they want him. They consider him a player of their level,” noted AS. The implication is clear: if Arsenal can’t close this soon, Zubimendi could pivot towards the Bernabéu.

Real Madrid’s pull is immense. The prospect of replacing Kroos or partnering Aurélien Tchouaméni in midfield is tantalising, and it doesn’t hurt that Zubimendi already turned down a move to Liverpool last summer to remain in Spain. If proximity to home and continental pedigree matter most, Arsenal may be outgunned before the whistle even blows.

Alexander-Arnold’s Exit Feels Inevitable

For Liverpool, the looming departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold stings more for its timing than its substance. A player so integral to the Jürgen Klopp era, now seemingly ready for a fresh challenge just as Arne Slot takes the reins at Anfield.

According to AS, “it’s all but confirmed the right-back will leave Liverpool to join Los Blancos via free agency in the summer.” For Madrid, it’s a coup of major proportions — a world-class creator, a Champions League winner, and still only 26.

For Liverpool, the pain lies not only in losing a scouser who grew up in the club’s academy, but in the manner of his exit. A free transfer, to a European rival, without a fee to reinvest. It raises questions about planning, about transition, and about whether the Reds were too slow to act on an extension that might never have been in the cards.

Huijsen Represents Future Stability

Perhaps the least headline-grabbing of the three names, but Dean Huijsen could prove to be the smartest buy of the lot. The 19-year-old centre-back, currently at Bournemouth on loan from Juventus, is a dual-national with Spanish ties — and his raw talent has not gone unnoticed at Valdebebas.

He can be signed via a £50m release clause, though Madrid are expected to negotiate lower. TEAMtalk claims the player is keen on the move, and if completed, it would be yet another example of Real’s shift in recruitment strategy. Think Eduardo Camavinga. Think Endrick. Think Jude Bellingham.

Huijsen represents the next wave of Madridismo. Smart, modern, and Spanish.

Arsenal’s Nico Williams Hope Offers a Lifeline

There is, however, a ray of hope for Mikel Arteta’s side. BILD’s Christian Falk claims the Gunners are “closer” than Bayern Munich to signing Athletic Club’s Nico Williams. The Spanish winger has a €58m (£48.7m) release clause and could transform Arsenal’s left flank with his pace, creativity, and ability to stretch play.

“It’s not true that Bayern Munich are in the lead for Nico Williams,” Falk stated. “I think, at the moment, Williams is closer to a move to Arsenal than Bayern Munich.”

But the salary demands are substantial, and with Zubimendi slipping away, Arsenal fans may worry if their club can afford both in a single window.

Conclusion: Madrid’s Masterplan in Motion

What we’re witnessing is classic Real Madrid — proactive, clinical, and determined. As Europe’s elite ponder their next moves, Madrid are already halfway down the track. They are reshaping their identity not through slogans, but signatures.

As for Liverpool and Arsenal, their respective sagas around Alexander-Arnold and Zubimendi could define their summers. Miss out now, and it won’t just be Real Madrid’s squad that looks younger and stronger — it’ll be their title rivals left searching for answers.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

This report is gutting. Honestly, we were told Zubimendi was all but done. “Virtually completed” was the phrase. So how has it come to this? How have we managed to let Real Madrid sneak in at the last moment?

Every Arsenal fan knows we’ve been crying out for a proper midfield controller — someone to sit, dictate, intercept, and link play. Zubimendi looked perfect. He was supposed to be the final piece in Arteta’s long-term puzzle.

And now? We’re reading that Madrid “consider him a player of their level.” That’s the dagger. Because it confirms two things — one, we haven’t closed the deal, and two, they can still take him if they want to.

It’s not about money either — it’s €60m, not £100m. If you want the player, go get him. If not, don’t pretend. We’ve seen this movie before. João Félix. Mykhaylo Mudryk. Even Lisandro Martínez. When big clubs stall, others strike.

Nico Williams is exciting, sure, but losing Zubimendi would be a massive blow — symbolically and tactically. Fingers crossed Edu has something hidden up his sleeve. Otherwise, Madrid might be about to outmanoeuvre us again.