Zubimendi emerges as a target for LaLiga side

Atlético de Madrid

The Atlético de Madrid remain attentive to Martín Zubimendi 's situation at Arsenal. The London club need to trim their squad to balance the books, and that could put several important players on the market in the next transfer window.

The priority for Mikel Arteta's side Mikel Arteta is to tie down three renewals deemed strategic, reserved for players with a key role in the starting XI. Once those deals are sorted, the rest of the squad could be exposed to possible moves designed to raise funds.

Zubimendi, back on the Rojiblanco radar

The move for Gabriel Martinelli, whose future points to Al Hilal for a fee close to €70 million, would set Arsenal's course. Viktor Gyökeres, Mikel Merino and Martín Zubimendi are among the names whose futures could be up in the air.

Atlético already know the midfielder's profile well. Their interest goes back some time, to when Zubimendi was still wearing Real Sociedad colours. At that stage, the Madrid club made moves to find out his situation and sound out those around him, although the player ultimately chose Arsenal's project.

The current scenario could be different. After a first half of the season marked by difficulties in finding continuity, the Spain international is among the possible candidates to leave the Emirates Stadium.

An eventual departure would not necessarily be down solely to sporting reasons. Arsenal's need to generate income and rebalance their accounts could lead the club to part with top-level players.

That possibility represents a market opportunity that Atlético de Madrid could seriously consider. Zubimendi remains a profile much liked by Atlético's sporting department, and a change of scenery would put him back on the Madrid club's radar.