Despite Martin Zubimendi's exceptional qualities, Real Madrid doesn't seem to prioritize his signing immediately. The club has put the Real Sociedad midfielder's transfer on hold.
Real Madrid aims to strengthen its squad at the end of the season and had been eyeing Zubimendi. The 25-year-old is considered one of the most promising defensive midfielders in La Liga. A pillar of Real Sociedad, he has impressed with his vision, ball recovery skills, and composure under pressure. With a €60 million release clause, he has attracted the attention of top European clubs.
However, despite his attractive profile, Real Madrid, often on the lookout for emerging talents, doesn't seem to want to secure his services in the near future.
According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid's midfield is already overflowing with talent. Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos, and Jude Bellingham form a young, versatile, and high-performing quartet. Recruiting Zubimendi would imply difficult choices for Carlo Ancelotti, particularly regarding rotation and hierarchy. Additionally, with Luka Modrić still present in the squad to mentor the new generation, Real Madrid seems to consider its midfield strong enough for the upcoming seasons.
Real Madrid Has Other Priorities
According to sources close to the club, the Madrid executives currently prioritize strengthening other areas of the team. A promising central defender and full-backs top the list of needs to ensure increased defensive depth.
Already, Florentino Pérez is working on signing 18-year-old central defender Lamini Fati from Leganés. Next, the club is waiting for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alphonso Davies to become free agents at the end of the season. The two full-backs are expected to join Real Madrid on free transfers next summer.
In any case, for Martin Zubimendi, the door to Real Madrid is not entirely closed, but a transfer doesn't seem imminent. If the club decides to reassess its strategy in summer 2025, the Basque midfielder could become a target again. Until then, Zubimendi will continue to shine for Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid once again demonstrates its cautious approach to the transfer market. Rather than accumulating talent, the club prioritizes a balanced management of its squad, based on real needs and strategic opportunities.