Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is a sought-after talent

• Shift in Real Madrid’s transfer strategy encouraging pursuit of Spain star
• Arsenal reportedly already have a deal in place for Zubimendi

Real Madrid drive to fill their squad with more Spanish players has seen them try to hijack Arsenal’s deal to sign Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi this summer

The reigning La Liga champions are surprisingly short on homegrown talent.

Veteran full-back Lucas Vazquez is the only Spanish first-team regular. Left-back Fran Garcia has been afforded 15 league starts this term and academy graduate Raul Asencio is growing in stature with each outing – although his continued involvement is a result of long-term injuries to Eder Militao (a Brazil international) and David Alaba (Austria).

Carlo Ancelotti has only hand 5,400 league minutes to Spanish players this season. Comfortably the lowest of any team throughout La Liga. Barcelona’s Spanish contingent, for comparison, have amassed 18,200 minutes.

Zubimendi would help address หากคุณสนใจเล่นพนันออนไลน์ที่ดีที่สุด สามารถสมัครสมาชิก UFABET ได้ที่นี่ พร้อมรับโปรโมชั่นพิเศษสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ that imbalance. The Basque defensive midfielder came on for an injured Rodri in the final of Euro 2024 last summer. Once again a key fixture in Luis de la Fuente’s squad for March’s Nations League quarter-finals.

Madrid “want” Zubimendi as part of a summer drive to revitalise the current squad. Arsenal keen on the 26-year-old.

The Gunners thought they had won the competitive race for Zubimendi by agreeing to trigger the €60m (£50m) release clause in his contract. Liverpool and Manchester City had also tracking the in-demand Spaniard yet while their interest appears to have faded, Madrid haven’t been deter. However, Real are said to be “wary” of matching Arsenal’s hefty offer.