Real Madrid preparing opening offer for Arsenal man?

Real Madrid are weighing up an opening bid to sign Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi after receiving approval from incoming manager Jose Mourinho.

The Spanish giants were recently keen on landing Rodri from Manchester City, but the World Cup winner chose to join arch-rivals Barcelona instead.

The club are now keen on landing a new marquee defensive midfielder and Zubimendi is one of the top names on their radar before the deadline.

The Madrid outfit were previously interested in Zubimendi during his time at Real Sociedad, but the Gunners beat them to the Spaniard's signature.

Zubimendi's future is once again a topic of speculation, given he is no longer a guaranteed starter for the Gunners in the Premier League.

Bruno Guimaraes and Declan Rice are widely expected to feature in central midfield, while Myles Lewis-Skelly and Mikel Merino are there too.

Zubimendi faces immense competition and could be tempted to join Los Blancos, provided he has the assurance of more game time in the XI.