CHELSEA are reportedly lining up a January transfer swoop for Martin Zubimendi.

The Blues are looking for midfield reinforcements after letting Enzo Fernandez move to Manchester City late in the summer window.

One of the names Xabi Alonso showed an interest in before deadline day was Arsenal star Zubimendi, 27.

But his side’s approach for the star was quickly knocked back by Mikel Arteta, who labelled Zubimendi “one of the best” in the side’s title-winning season.

He viewed the star as unsellable despite slipping down the pecking order, adding: “We know that without him we would never reach the level and the way that we competed throughout ten months.

“At the end he didn’t play that much. He still played some important minutes but he didn’t play that much.

“But no one can neglect the importance of what we did and how important he is for us.”

Now The Independent claim Chelsea may look to again test his resolve in the winter window, with Zubimendi playing a sparing role in the Gunners’ league season so far.

The Spaniard has played just 100 league minutes this season, across nine substitute appearances.

His three starts this season have come across two Carabao Cup clashes – including Arsenal’s shock defeat to Fleetwood on penalties – and last weekend’s Champions League bout with Slavia Prague.

Real Madrid and Atletico are also said to hold an interest in Zubimendi’s services.

The Basque midfielder was part of his nation’s World Cup-winning squad – though his only minutes came as an extra-time substitute in the final against Argentina.

Alonso thought he had his Fernandez replacement lined up on deadline day, with a deal agreed in principle with Monaco’s Lamine Camara.

But a transfer fell through in the final hours of the window after Folarin Balogun‘s Everton move looked set to go through, making Monaco hesitant to let another player leave.

In the end, both deals failed to come to fruition, leaving Chelsea‘s midfield light.

Their most recent XI saw Jordan Henderson start alongside Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo as Chelsea lost away to Sunderland.