Xabi Alonso wants to bring Arsenal star to Chelsea in this summer's most shocking transfer
Xabi Alonso is interested in signing Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi for Chelsea this summer, it has been reported.
Alonso was appointed as manager of the Blues earlier this year but, unlike some of his predecessors, was not named as head coach.
That has given him far more control over the club's transfer policy, which has been evidenced so far this summer.
He spearheaded the successful pursuits of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson from Brighton and Brentford respectively, having recognised that his squad needed more experience.
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The arrival of Atalanta right wing-back Marco Pellestra will allow him to play a three-defender formation, while Chelsea have agreed a £16.3 million deal, plus add-ons, to sign Rayo Vallecano's Pep Chavarria for the other flank.
Morgan Rogers has signed from Aston Villa for a British record transfer fee of £117 million, and Alonso intends for the England international to play alongside his close friend Cole Palmer.
And Chelsea's latest target appears to be very much driven by the Spaniard.
Alonso keen on shock Arsenal transfer
According to journalist Simon Phillips, Alonso has a keen interest in signing midfielder Zubimendi from Premier League champions Arsenal.
He knows the Spain international exceptionally well, having coached him in his first managerial job at Real Sociedad B.
Zubimendi graduated to the first team squad in 2020 and spent a further five years with Sociedad before leaving for Arsenal last summer for a fee of around £55.8 million.
The 27-year-old deep-lying playmaker had a bright start to life in English football, but lost his place in the Gunners starting line-up towards the end of the campaign and received criticism over some of his performances.
Arsenal are also closing in on a big-money move for Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, which could limit Zubimendi's opportunities this season.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher told The Football Ramble podcast that he has doubts over whether the Spaniard will stay at the Emirates Stadium.
"Will Bruno play more of a holding role? Does Declan Rice still play that box-to-box role? I'm still not 100 per cent convinced what role Rice is better in," Carragher said.
"Do you think it's the end for Zubimendi there? In terms of being what he was supposed to be when he was brought in... he was supposed to come in and be this controller. I don't see him ever getting that place back now."
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A departure for Zubimendi, therefore, may not come as much of a surprise - though a direct move to Chelsea would do.
Moves in that direction are exceptionally rare in the 21st century, with Olivier Giroud the last to do so in 2018.
Before that, Ashley Cole's controversial £5 million transfer in 2006 was the last instance of a player leaving Arsenal to sign for Chelsea.
In 2022, Alonso described Zubimendi as a player 'all coaches would want', adding: "He's generous, he always thinks more about his team-mates than himself.
"He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions to improve the move."
Topics: Xabi Alonso, Chelsea, Arsenal, Premier League
Ryan Smart