Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Santi Canizares has urged the club to sign Arsenal defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
Santi Canizares has urged Real Madrid to consider signing Martin Zubimendi, while speaking to Cadena COPE, arguing that a midfielder with the Spain star’s qualities is almost as important as a goalkeeper.
Speaking while analysing Spain’s meeting with Croatia on the radio programme Tiempo de Juego, Canizares pointed towards Zubimendi as the ideal example of the profile Real Madrid currently lack.
“That style of player is what Real Madrid needs most. He’s as essential as food right now, almost as important as having a goalkeeper,” Cañizares said via Defensa Central.
Real Madrid need someone like Zubimendi
The former Real Madrid goalkeeper believes Jose Mourinho’s side are missing a player capable of controlling games from deep and helping them play through pressure. His comments highlighted the importance of finding a midfielder who can receive possession close to the centre-backs, resist the opposition’s first line of pressure and dictate the tempo from deep.
Real Madrid’s midfield contains individual quality. Aurelien Tchouameni, recently linked with Liverpool, offers physicality and defensive protection; Federico Valverde provides energy and distance-covering; Eduardo Camavinga breaks lines with dribbling.
Jude Bellingham is most effective closer to goal, while Bernardo Silva brings technical experience. Yet without a specialist capable of controlling play from deep, Los Blancos can become too direct against organised defences, struggling to sustain attacks when their pace is negated.
Zubimendi fits the profile Canizares believes Madrid need, and recent reports have linked him with the club. The Spain international is comfortable receiving possession in deep areas, has strong positional awareness and can control the rhythm of a game by deciding when to accelerate the play and when to slow it down.
Can Real Madrid snatch Zubimendi from Arsenal?
A move for the midfielder would nevertheless be complicated. Zubimendi joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2025 for a reported £60 million and remains an important part of their squad.
His situation could, however, become interesting if his lack of playing time continues. Zubimendi has made eight appearances this season but has accumulated only 197 minutes, leaving open the possibility that his role could become a source of frustration.
If that situation persists and the Spaniard seeks a departure, Real Madrid could pursue the midfielder and test Arsenal’s resolve. For now, there is no indication that Zubimendi is actively seeking a move away from London, and Arsenal have little reason to make one of their midfield investments available.
