Xabi Alonso could be set to complete his dream Chelsea transfer in 2027 thanks to Mikel Arteta’s selection decisions at Arsenal so far this season.

The Blues manager was strongly backed in the transfer market during his first window at Stamford Bridge, with over €400 million spent on 11 new players, but the club notably failed to sign a replacement for Enzo Fernandez on Transfer Deadline Day.

It’s understood that Chelsea want to address this issue in January, with the club ready to submit a formal offer for Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott after seeing several bids rejected over the summer.

Liverpool are also interested in signing the England international, but Chelsea are widely considered to be the frontrunners in the race for his signature, and several Premier League clubs reportedly believe that Scott is destined to join the west London giants.

However, Alonso may also request the signing of Martin Zubimendi, who is struggling for consistent game time at Arsenal.

Martin Zubimendi to join Chelsea?

Zubimendi played a pivotal role during his debut campaign at Arsenal last year, racking up 57 appearances across all competitions, but he has drastically fallen down the pecking order this term.

Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly and summer signing Bruno Guimaraes are all favoured ahead of the Spain star in Arteta’s preferred double pivot, and he is yet to start a Premier League match so far this season as a result.

In fact, Zubimendi has been an unused substitute in three of Arsenal’s last four English top flight fixtures, including the win over Liverpool on Sunday, and it would therefore come as no surprise if he begins to explore a possible exit amid his current status at the Emirates Stadium.

Over the summer, rumours hinted that Alonso was eager to reunite with Zubimendi, having coached him during his time in Real Sociedad’s academy, and it’s understood the pair retain an extremely close relationship.

Chelsea remain in the market for a new central midfielder and with Zubimendi currently out of favour at Arsenal, Alonso could look to test the Gunners’ resolve with an official bid next year.

Arteta firmly ruled out a sale this summer, but transfer interest is bubbling away in the background and the allure of reuniting with Alonso at Chelsea could prove too strong for Zubimendi if he continues to struggle for consistent game time in Arsenal’s stacked first-team squad.