The headline: Zubimendi may push for the Arsenal exit
Friday’s biggest story belongs in north London. Martín Zubimendi may push to leave Arsenal in January after losing his starting spot under Mikel Arteta, with Chelsea and Real Madrid both reportedly interested in the Spain international, per Teamtalk. Our model rates him at 88 OVR with a market value of €67.5M to €82.5M and a contract that runs to 2030, so any January deal starts from a position of maximum leverage for Arsenal.
The model’s minute pattern tells the story of the run-in: 90 minutes against Crystal Palace on the final day, but only 1 minute at Burnley, 39 against West Ham and 26 against Fulham in the weeks before. A 5G/1A return across 38 appearances in his debut season is a solid baseline for a defensive midfielder, yet the undervaluation score of 5 reads as overvalued at the current range. For Chelsea or Madrid, the play is patience: an unhappy 26-year-old with shrinking minutes is how €80M asking prices become January discounts.
Richarlison seeks Tottenham termination
The most striking line of the day comes from The Times: Richarlison is seeking to terminate his contract at Tottenham after being left out of their Premier League squad. Our model still rates the Brazilian at 81 OVR with a market value of €22.5M to €27.5M and a deal score of 59. A club paying nothing for that profile mid-season would be the bargain of the window. We break down the full termination math in today’s club intelligence piece.
Man Utd suffer hammer blow as Hall commits to Newcastle
Manchester United’s long pursuit of Lewis Hall is over for now. Sky Sports report the left back has agreed a five-year deal at Newcastle, killing the summer exit talk and removing one of the few elite young left backs from the market. United’s recruitment team now moves to plan B in a window where left-sided defenders are scarce.
The rest of Friday’s board
- Kevin Schade, 24: Brentford have opened negotiations with the winger over a new deal, per Sky Sports. Expect a release clause conversation to follow.
- Raheem Sterling and Jadon Sancho: the out-of-favour pair have been offered a surprise lifeline, per Sky Sports, with clubs circling cut-price January moves.
- Anthony Martial: Everton have played down a move for the 30-year-old free agent, most recently of Monterrey, per the iPaper.
- Eddie Nketiah: the Crystal Palace forward is considering switching international allegiance from England to Ghana, per The Standard.
- Kevin Viveros: Sunderland and Aston Villa's summer striker target is set to sign a new contract at Athletico Paranaense, per the Sunderland Echo, removing him from January lists.
- Chelsea ownership: Clearlake Capital is closing in on an agreement to buy out co-owners Todd Boehly and Mark Walter, per The Guardian, a deal that would end the two-camp era at Stamford Bridge.
- Leicester City: the club's prospective new owner warns of financial Armageddon without fresh capital and improved results, per Talksport.
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