Arsenal are reportedly considering selling midfielder Martin Zubimendi in the January transfer window to sign a new winger.
January plans and title ambitions
Arsenal have emerged as firm favourites to win the Premier League title for a second successive season. Reports also state that Arsenal will be hoping to go far in the Champions League again. The reigning Premier League champions are said to be going big with their January transfer plans, targeting two quality forwards, as per a report.
Summer business, missed targets and attacking shortage
Arsenal had a mixed summer transfer window and missed out on several targets. The club signed Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa, Piero Hincapie and Christos Tzolis in the summer. Arsenal failed with moves for Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola and Vinicius Junior. At the same time, Arsenal let Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri leave in the summer, and Arsenal are now short in attack.
The Independent: Zubimendi could leave
A report from The Independent claims Arsenal would need to sell a valuable asset to land a new attacker in January. According to The Independent, the need to sell a valuable asset could open the door for Martin Zubimendi to leave Arsenal. The Independent claims Martin Zubimendi could be available in January amid interest from Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid. According to The Independent, the situation has led Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Chelsea to feel a deal may be possible for Martin Zubimendi, who is seen as making the most sense as an outgoing. According to The Independent, should a sale of Martin Zubimendi be possible, it would be expected that Arsenal want to recoup at least £60m. According to The Independent, Arsenal want a transitional winger, described as a fast player who can carry the ball up the pitch quickly, but are unlikely to move without first making a major sale. According to The Independent, should a notable exit happen, Arsenal would be expected to use the money to buy a wide player, with Mikel Arteta wanting a transition player who can carry the ball up the pitch at pace and also be effective in tight spaces.
Zubimendi’s situation and potential replacements
Arsenal signed Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for around £60m this summer after fending off competition from elsewhere. Martin Zubimendi was an integral player for a large portion of the 2025/26 campaign, but by the end of the 2025/26 season, Martin Zubimendi was out of Arsenal's starting XI. Martin Zubimendi has fallen in the pecking order at Arsenal after Bruno Guimaraes’ arrival in the summer, and Martin Zubimendi is yet to make a Premier League start this season. Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi has made up his mind where he will go next, and it is not Chelsea, Liverpool or Real Madrid. Martin Zubimendi is ready to leave Arsenal in January, and a report has revealed Arsenal’s stance on sanctioning a mid-season departure. Mikel Arteta has reportedly made a decision on selling Barcelona transfer targets Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi in January. According to reports, Arsenal have two leading striker targets in mind as potential replacements for Viktor Gyokeres.
Winger shortlist and Kroupi deal possibility
Another report from The Independent claims Bournemouth standout Junior Kroupi is Arsenal’s top target of four options for the wing department, as long as Martin Zubimendi or another player leaves. Alex Baena, Endrick and Antonio Nusa are also said to be Arsenal’s targets for the wing position. According to The Independent, Junior Kroupi is seen as the ideal candidate for Arsenal, but it is seen as unlikely that Bournemouth do a deal until the summer.
