Real Madrid will not add another central midfielder this summer unless a current squad member departs first, according to reporting by The Athletic. The club’s position is that their roster is full, and no move is expected while that remains the case.
Jose Mourinho had made his desire for a creative playmaker clear from the moment he joined the club. Real Madrid responded by signing Bernardo Silva from Manchester City. However, Silva was effectively a fallback option after Rodri chose to join Barcelona rather than move to the Bernabéu.
Seven Players Competing for Three Spots
The Athletic’s analysis points to a crowded midfield picture. Mourinho’s preferred 4-2-3-1 shape requires two deeper central midfielders and one attacking playmaker, and Real Madrid already have seven options across those roles. The club believes that depth covers every tactical profile they need.
Jude Bellingham provides a goal threat from midfield. Silva brings the creative quality Mourinho wanted. Trent Alexander-Arnold has also been used in central areas during pre-season possession phases, though that is not expected to become his regular position under Mourinho.
Zubimendi in the Frame, Arsenal Unwilling to Sell
One name linked with a potential move to Madrid is Martin Zubimendi. According to football.london, Real Madrid have registered interest in the Arsenal midfielder, though senior officials at the club are not all aligned on pursuing the deal. Arsenal paid just over £51 million to sign Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in 2025 and have no desire to sell him now. Mikel Arteta regards him as a key part of his squad this season. Zubimendi’s contract at the Emirates runs to June 2030, giving Arsenal considerable leverage.
Real Madrid had also tried to sign Zubimendi before Arsenal completed that deal, entering the race too late after a transfer agreement had already been finalised. They failed to hijack it then and face a similarly firm wall now.
No Departures Yet, Window Still Open
The core problem for Real Madrid is straightforward. No current midfielder is pushing for an exit, and without a sale, the club’s own transfer logic prevents them from bringing anyone in. The window remains open, so the situation could still shift before the deadline.
Football supporters on social media have drawn comparisons between this summer and previous windows where Madrid fell short of primary targets across multiple positions, with Rodri’s move to Barcelona seen as the most notable miss in midfield. Whether Mourinho eventually gets his additional signing will hinge entirely on whether Madrid can move one of their seven midfielders on first.
