Xabi Alonso’s dream £64m signing has picked his next club and it isn’t Chelsea
The January transfer window is not actually that far away, despite the summer market only just closing. When it does open, you can expect Xabi Alonso to have compiled a list of midfield targets.
Having agreed to sell Enzo Fernandez for a joint-record British fee, while also waving goodbye to Andrey Santos, the Blues needed new additions. They got Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson, but lack depth.
As many as eight midfielders were targeted, but none came to fruition. Without a doubt, Chelsea will be back in for the likes of Lamine Camara in January, but Alonso’s dream signing has chosen a different club.
Chelsea learn Martin Zubimendi’s preferred destination
Back in the summer, one of the eight midfielders linked as a replacement for Fernandez was Arsenal’s Spain star Martin Zubimendi. The Spaniard has struggled to get game time under Mikel Arteta this term.
Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Martin Odegaard are all ahead in the pecking order, and Zubimendi has a decision to make. The longer it goes on, the chances are he leaves Arsenal.
Chelsea signed more experienced players this summer to get SERIOUS! What impact has it made on the team so far? 🤔
However, Spanish site El Nacional claim it won’t be to Chelsea – if Zubimendi can get his way. They report that Arsenal are willing to sell for an initial £52m plus £12m more in add-ons, ahead of the winter market.
Zubimendi wants to return to Spain and join Real Madrid. It is claimed that a move to Jose Mourinho’s side is Zubimendi’s dream, and he feels he can have an impact. Madrid are aware of the situation.
Why Zubimendi is Alonso’s dream signing at Chelsea
Bringing in a direct replacement for Fernandez does not suit Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 system. The two sitting midfielders need to be defensive-minded, while Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers occupy the 10 roles.
Fernandez is the in-between type of midfielder who wouldn’t fit. Alex Scott is a slightly more defensive version of him, but even then, Chelsea may require someone who sits deeper than the England player.
Zubimendi fits the profile to perfection in terms of position, experience, and what Alonso wants of his players. Indeed, the Arsenal star came through under Alonso while he was Real Sociedad B manager.
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