With January less than two months away, Chelsea are likely to use the November break to make inroads and Xabi Alonso is now a step closer to his dream addition.

Chelsea are expected to be active in the winter window after an injury-riddled, inconsistent start to Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea era. Five wins and four defeats in 10 league games is a fair reflection of the story so far.

The Blues are struggling in defence, with Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana failing to cope with Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey on Sunday. In midfield, bringing in another body is a priority after suffering two key losses.

Enzo Fernandez completed a move to Man City without Chelsea getting a replacement in, before Reece James was forced to undergo knee surgery. Chelsea need a midfielder, and they’ve got the green light.

Chelsea learn Martin Zubimendi price with Arsenal ready to sell

According to The Independent, Chelsea are in the mix for Martin Zubimendi. The World Cup winner with Spain has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal, and the Gunners need to sell to invest in new players.

Zubimendi only joined Arsenal in the summer of 2025, but lost his place during the title run-in last term. Bruno Guimaraes’ arrival and Myles Lewis-Skelly’s form has seen Zubimendi’s game time begin to dry up.

The report states that Arsenal have identified Zubimendi as possible sale to raise funds, with Chelsea one of three clubs vying for his signature. Both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are also said to be interested.

Having spent £60m to sign him, it is claimed Arsenal want at least the same fee to sell him and given their price tag, they are clearly open to his sale. Chelsea are now one of the front-runners for his signature.

Two reasons why Zubimendi is Alonso’s dream signing

Alonso will be desperate to get Zubimendi. Chelsea have already been strongly linked, but Arsenal’s willingness to sell the midfielder is new and that hands Chelsea the green light to go and make a move.

The Chelsea boss worked with Zubimendi while in charge of Real Sociedad’s B-team, nurturing the 27-year-old into a young version of himself. He even asked Chelsea’s bosses to sign him in the summer.

In 2025, Alonso told The Guardian: “Martin’s a player all coaches would want. He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself.” He finished the chat with: “I loved working with him.”

The other reason, is that while Chelsea need to bring in another body to replace Fernandez, signing an attacking midfielder like the Argentine is not what Chelsea need. They need a box-to-box option.

One that can still score goals, but one that is better sitting in front of the defence as a deep-lying option. Romeo Lavia and Jordan Henderson do that well, but they lack the goal threat Zubimendi provides.

The stats above show how much more effective Zubimendi was defensively compared to Fernandez last season, and while Fernandez – another World Cup winner – scores more goals, Zubimendi still contributes.

Quite clearly, Zubimendi suits Chelsea’s 3-4-2-1 system – or any variation the Spanish gaffer has come up with since first implementing the formation. For £60m, Chelsea would get Alonso’s dream signing.