Chelsea and Real Madrid keen on Arsenal's Zubimendi - Friday's gossip

What the report says

BBC Sport’s football gossip round-up reports that Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi could look to leave the club in January after losing his place in the starting side. The item says Chelsea and Real Madrid are among the clubs interested in the 27-year-old Spain international. The report is presented as transfer speculation, with the underlying claim attributed to Teamtalk rather than confirmed by Arsenal or the player.

The same roundup also notes that free agent Mauro Icardi is open to a move to Everton after leaving Galatasaray in July, but says Everton sources have downplayed links to both Icardi and another free agent, Anthony Martial. Martial, 30, last played for Mexican club Monterrey, according to the report. These updates sit within the broader mid-season transfer market picture, where clubs are often linked with both active players and free agents as squads look to adjust in January.

Other brief items include news that Newcastle target Giorgio Scalvini has signed a long-term contract with Atalanta, while Aston Villa are said to be in talks with Ian Maatsen over a new deal. The roundup also mentions Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah considering a change of international allegiance, and interest from Sunderland and Aston Villa in Kevin Viveros before he neared a new contract in Brazil.