Chelsea transfer news: Xabi Alonso a 'big fan' of £60m Arsenal star as surprise 'interest' emerges

By Lewis Blain | 05 Aug 2026 12:49

Chelsea could yet revisit the marketplace for different midfielder aft caller comments revealed 1 Arsenal prima is hugely admired by Xabi Alonso.

The Blues person already reshaped respective areas of their squad this summertime nether their caller caput coach.

Now, Martin Zubimendi has emerged arsenic a subordinate Alonso reportedly rates highly.

Xabi Alonso has involvement successful Arsenal prima Martin Zubimendi

Chelsea insider Simon Phillips has revealed that Alonso is simply a long-time admirer of Zubimendi and has informed the nine that the Spain planetary is simply a subordinate of interest.

However, Phillips stopped abbreviated of suggesting Chelsea are actively pursuing a transfer, stressing lone that Zubimendi is among the midfielders Alonso appreciates.

“I was told by a root that Xabi Alonso is simply a large instrumentality of Martin Zubimendi & has communicated to Chelsea that he’s a subordinate helium likes and is of involvement to him," helium said.

The admiration is hardly astonishing fixed the pair's history. Alonso coached Zubimendi during his clip astatine Real Sociedad B and has antecedently described him arsenic a subordinate "all coaches would want", praising his intelligence, selflessness and quality to dictate play from deep.

Those qualities person since made him 1 of Europe's astir respected holding midfielders.

Is Martin Zubimendi a realistic signing for Chelsea this summer?

At this stage, it looks highly unlikely.

The Gunners only signed Zubimendi past summer aft pursuing him for respective transportation windows, investing astir £60 cardinal to yet bring him to the Emirates Stadium, truthful selling him aft conscionable 1 play would marque small sense, peculiarly erstwhile they are gathering a squad susceptible of competing connected each front.

Even with Bruno Guimaraes expected to fortify Arsenal's midfield considerably, Arteta needs genuine extent alternatively than replacements.

Guimaraes, Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino would springiness Arsenal 1 of the strongest midfield groups successful Europe, particularly with respective players returning precocious from the 2026 World Cup.

Chelsea's involvement is understandable fixed Alonso's erstwhile narration with the Spaniard, but admiration and availability are 2 precise antithetic things.

Unless Arsenal's stance changes dramatically, Zubimendi appears acold much apt to stay a cardinal fig successful northbound London arsenic the Gunners pursuit back-to-back Premier League titles and look to yet triumph the Champions League.