Arsenal are aware of reports in Spain that Real Madrid could look to hijack their bid for Martin Zubimendi if Xabi Alonso is appointed as their new manager, TBR Football can reveal.
Arsenal’s comprehensive win over Real Madrid in the Champions League seemingly hastened the Spanish club’s decision to part ways with Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the season.
It’s not yet official but Real are set to move on from Ancelotti who himself is ready to take charge of the Brazilian national team.
Real have been doing their work on potential options to succeed the Italian, including the likes of Jurgen Klopp.
However, Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has always been their leading candidate, someone who was much loved at the Santiago Bernabeu as a player.
Arsenal react to Xabi Alonso’s interest in Martin Zubimendi
That being said, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Arsenal’s hierarchy are insisting that they are not worried about any reports of Alonso inspiring a hijack for Zubimendi.
When Alonso arrives at the Spanish capital he is already believed to have ideas about targets he’d like to sign.
Alonso is keen to bring Leverkusen duo Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah to Madrid, but he is also believed to be a big fan of Zubimendi.
Zubimendi is becoming a much more familiar name to English football fans given his links to Liverpool and Arsenal over the last year or so.
But his talent is obviously even more well-regarded in La Liga where he’s been excelling for years.
Fortunately from an Arsenal point of view, the club have been ramping up their efforts to sign Zubimendi since January and new sporting director Andrea Berta has made a personal effort to push talks along.
Andrea Berta pushing to conclude Martin Zubimendi deal
As a result, Arsenal and Berta consider that the signing of Zubimendi is all but secured this summer.
Berta is confident that Arsenal will sign Zubimendi and the club aren’t concerned about any new interest from Real.
Arsenal have done plenty of business with Real Sociedad over the years and Mikel Merino was recruited from the Spanish club last summer.
Arsenal sold Nacho Monreal, Carlos Vela and Fran Merida to Real Sociedad over the years just to name a few, a club who Kieran Tierney also joined on loan last season.
And Arsenal will hope that Berta’s added knowledge of the Spanish market can help conclude a deal for Zubimendi early in the summer.
