Real Madrid have located a former Barcelona transfer target as their ideal Toni Kroos replacement. Could Martin Zubimendi be Madrid-bound?
As two of the top teams in La Liga, Barcelona and Real Madrid have a shared interest; to sign the best players from other Spanish clubs. While it might be a shared interest, it only deepens the level of rivalry and competition between the Clasico rivals.
2025 is the season for change. However, in the world of football, not much will change. This can certainly be said for Real Madrid and Barcelona, as their heated title race will only heat up more in the new year.
Not only will the two sides compete on the pitch, but they are lengthening their rivalry off the pitch too.
Real Madrid want Barcelona transfer target to replace Toni Kroos
According to a report from AS, Real Madrid believe that Martin Zubimendi could be their future midfield leader. They were not originally interested in signing him but the disappointing form of Aurelien Tchouameni, who has not fully replaced Toni Kroos' role, has convinced Real Madrid to sign Zubimendi.
We must say that it isn't really a surprise to see Real Madrid linked to the signing of Zubimendi. He is a leader and an estabished Spain international. Therefore, Real would be silly to allow him to move to Barcelona.
However, Barcelona are not the only club interested in signing Zubimendi. Man City's midfield frailties have been exposed this season, which means Pep Guardiola might be interested in bringing Zubimendi to the Etihad Stadium in the new year.
To say that Zubimendi is proven in the Spanish top flight would not only be an understatement but it would be a complete insult to him. He might even be the best midfielder in the country as it stands, so a move to one of the top clubs is seemingly on the cards.
Let's just hope that Real Madrid get their signing. It is a rarity, after all, that Real Madrid set their sights on a new signing, only to not make it happen.