Xabi Alonso has made his priorities clear since stepping into one of the most demanding jobs in world football.
With Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić no longer at the club, Real Madrid are now searching for someone who can bring calm, control, and class to the centre of the pitch.
Los Blancos have not been idle this summer. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen are already on their way along with Franco Mastantuono.
Yet, Alonso is still waiting for a midfield piece that will allow his team to play the way he envisions.
There was a time not long ago when hopes in Madrid were fading. Their preferred candidate seemed all but gone.
Arsenal had been working behind the scenes for months, the release clause was steep, and the player’s salary demands were no small obstacle either.
But something has changed. According to a report from AS, Madrid are no longer ready to walk away. Alonso has made it clear that no alternative matches what he wants.
The player in question knows Alonso well; they once shared the same dressing room at Real Sociedad B.
They share a background, a footballing language, and even the same agent.
And that familiarity may tilt the balance. While the Premier League side can offer more money, reportedly €10 million per year, Madrid are banking on something deeper.
They believe the player still dreams of staying in Spain, of wearing the famous white shirt, and of working with a coach he respects.
The midfielder is Martin Zubimendi, and Madrid are ready to launch a final attempt to bring him in.
Whether it involves paying the full €60 million release clause or striking a player-swap deal with Real Sociedad, Florentino Pérez and his team will do everything they can.
The race with Arsenal is far from over. For Martin Zubimendi, the decision will soon come down to a simple choice: legacy or luxury.
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