REAL MADRID MOVE ON FROM RODRI? NEW MIDFIELD TARGET EMERGES
Real Madrid’s search for greater control in midfield continues to generate major transfer speculation, but the latest picture is more complicated than simply saying Los Blancos have chosen Martín Zubimendi as Rodri’s replacement.
Rodri has been linked with Real Madrid for months. The Manchester City and Spain midfielder previously indicated that he would address his future after the 2026 World Cup, with his City contract currently due to expire in 2027. Madrid’s interest made sense: the club has been searching for a midfielder capable of controlling possession, organizing play from deep and providing defensive stability.
However, reports earlier this year suggested Madrid had begun cooling its pursuit of Rodri and examining alternatives. The situation has become even more intriguing because ESPN is now reporting that Barcelona are stepping up their own pursuit of the Manchester City star.
That has naturally reopened discussion about Martín Zubimendi.
The Spanish international has long been admired by Real Madrid and was linked with the club before joining Arsenal from Real Sociedad in 2025. His profile is particularly attractive because he can dictate play from deep, protect the defense and operate as the positional midfielder Madrid have been searching for.
There is one major problem: Zubimendi is an Arsenal player.
He dismissed the Real Madrid speculation only a few months ago, saying those rumors had effectively “passed.” Therefore, any suggestion that Madrid are now actively moving to sign him should currently be treated as transfer speculation rather than a confirmed negotiation.
The wider question is becoming increasingly interesting: if Madrid decide not to pursue Rodri—or if Barcelona succeed in taking him elsewhere—who becomes their preferred midfield target?
Zubimendi would be an obvious stylistic candidate, but he would almost certainly be difficult and expensive to prise away from Arsenal. Madrid could therefore explore other midfield profiles as the summer window develops.
For now, there is no confirmed Real Madrid agreement for Zubimendi, and Rodri’s situation remains one to watch.
What is clear is that Madrid’s midfield planning could become one of the defining stories of the remainder of the transfer window.
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