{"id":6382,"date":"2026-09-29T17:01:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-29T17:01:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=6382"},"modified":"2026-09-29T17:01:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T17:01:22","slug":"xabi-alonsos-dream-64m-signing-has-picked-his-next-club-and-it-isnt-chelsea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=6382","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso’s dream \u00a364m signing has picked his next club and it isn’t Chelsea"},"content":{"rendered":"


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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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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As many as eight midfielders were targeted<\/a>, but none came to fruition. Without a doubt, Chelsea will be back in for the likes of Lamine Camara<\/a> in January, but Alonso\u2019s dream signing has chosen a different club.<\/p>\n

Chelsea learn Martin Zubimendi\u2019s preferred destination<\/h2>\n

Back in the summer, one of the eight midfielders linked as a replacement for Fernandez was Arsenal\u2019s Spain star Martin Zubimendi<\/a>. The Spaniard has struggled to get game time under Mikel Arteta this term.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea signed more experienced players this summer to get SERIOUS! What impact has it made on the team so far? \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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However, Spanish site El Nacional<\/a> claim it won\u2019t be to Chelsea \u2013 if Zubimendi can get his way. They report that Arsenal are willing to sell for an initial \u00a352m plus \u00a312m more in add-ons, ahead of the winter market.<\/p>\n

Zubimendi wants to return to Spain and join Real Madrid. It is claimed that a move to Jose Mourinho\u2019s side is Zubimendi\u2019s dream, and he feels he can have an impact. Madrid are aware of the situation.<\/p>\n

Why Zubimendi is Alonso\u2019s dream signing at Chelsea<\/h2>\n

Bringing in a direct replacement for Fernandez does not suit Alonso\u2019s 3-4-2-1 system. The two sitting midfielders need to be defensive-minded, while Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers occupy the 10 roles.<\/p>\n

Fernandez is the in-between type of midfielder who wouldn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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