Alonso's Chelsea Interest in Zubimendi Grows Amid Arsenal's Guimaraes Deal

ChelseaTeam·Chelsea manager Xabi AlonsoCoach·Xabi Alonso has reportedly expressed a strong interest in acquiring ArsenalTeam·Arsenal midfielder Martin ZubimendiPlayer·Martin Zubimendi, according to recent reports. This speculation emerges as ArsenalTeam·Arsenal finalises a substantial transfer for Bruno GuimaraesPlayer·Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle UnitedTeam·Newcastle United, a move that could significantly reshape the Gunners' midfield dynamics.

Zubimendi, 27, joined ArsenalTeam·Arsenal from Real SociedadTeam·Real Sociedad last summer for a fee of approximately £56 million. The deep-lying playmaker, who developed through Sociedad's academy, initially made a promising start to his English football career. However, his form reportedly "tailed off" towards the end of the 2025/26 campaign, leading to a loss of his regular starting position. Notably, Myles Lewis-SkellyPlayer·Myles Lewis-Skelly was reportedly favoured ahead of him in the UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League final.

ArsenalTeam·Arsenal's successful pursuit of Bruno GuimaraesPlayer·Bruno Guimaraes, secured for a fee of £75 million, is set to introduce another prominent figure into their midfield. Guimaraes has reportedly passed his medical and is expected to feature regularly, likely alongside Declan RicePlayer·Declan Rice. This influx of talent has prompted "serious question marks" regarding Zubimendi's playing time and long-term role within the squad, particularly concerning the potential configuration alongside Guimaraes and Rice.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher voiced his perspective on the situation, stating he was not convinced Zubimendi would regain the controlling role he had been brought in to fill. Carragher also highlighted uncertainty over Declan RicePlayer·Declan Rice's optimal position and whether Guimaraes would operate in a deeper capacity.

The reported interest from ChelseaTeam·Chelsea is underpinned by a prior working relationship between Alonso and Zubimendi. Alonso coached the Spanish midfielder during his tenure at Real SociedadTeam·Real Sociedad B, providing him with an intimate understanding of Zubimendi's capabilities. In 2022, Alonso publicly praised Zubimendi, describing him as the "type of player coaches would want" due to his focus on teammates, ability to generate play, and capacity to improve those around him.

Alonso, appointed ChelseaTeam·Chelsea manager earlier in 2026, has reportedly been granted greater control over the club's transfer policy. ChelseaTeam·Chelsea's summer business has already seen the arrivals of Danny WelbeckPlayer·Danny Welbeck from Brighton, Jordan HendersonPlayer·Jordan Henderson from BrentfordTeam·Brentford, Marco Pellestra from AtalantaTeam·Atalanta, Pep ChavarriaPlayer·Pep Chavarria from Rayo VallecanoTeam·Rayo Vallecano, and Morgan RogersPlayer·Morgan Rogers from Aston VillaTeam·Aston Villa for a British-record fee of £117 million. Zubimendi's positional qualities align with the type of midfielder Alonso has previously admired, though reports do not confirm an imminent bid from ChelseaTeam·Chelsea.

Despite the growing speculation, there are no indications that ArsenalTeam·Arsenal, who finished as Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League champions in the 2025/26 season, are prepared to sell Zubimendi. The club is focused on maintaining strong squad depth to compete for trophies across multiple fronts. Furthermore, a direct transfer between rival clubs like ArsenalTeam·Arsenal and ChelseaTeam·Chelsea remains an unusual occurrence in modern football, with notable exceptions like Olivier GiroudPlayer·Olivier Giroud in 2018 and Ashley Cole in 2006 often involving complex player exchanges rather than straightforward fees.

As ArsenalTeam·Arsenal strengthens its midfield with Guimaraes, Martin ZubimendiPlayer·Martin Zubimendi's situation at the club will undoubtedly be closely monitored, particularly given Xabi AlonsoCoach·Xabi Alonso's reported admiration from Stamford Bridge.