Martin Zubimendi is setting the record straight. The Arsenal midfielder addressed transfer rumours linking him to Atlético Madrid in an interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, saying plainly: "I've also read that I could be close to joining Atlético Madrid, but that's not the case at all." No talks with any club, no imminent departure. Just a player who wants the headlines to match reality.
Zubimendi did not stop at the denial. He used the moment to call out the broader culture of transfer gossip, particularly as the January window approaches. "I think people should be a little more careful with what they publish," he said. "At the end of the day, every player belongs to a club, and there should be respect." It is a rare thing for a footballer to push back so directly, and it landed.
The speculation has been fuelled in part by his reduced playing time under Mikel Arteta this season, with Atlético Madrid reportedly eyeing him as a midfield option in January. But Zubimendi says his head is not in Madrid. His focus is on earning more minutes and helping Arsenal push for the Premier League title.
The question now is whether the rumours quieten down or whether a January window, by its nature, keeps finding ways to pull his name back in.
Originally published by NotJustOk.