Alan Smith believes Arsenal should consider offering Martin Zubimendi to Atletico Madrid as part of a swap deal to sign Julian Alvarez.
Zubimendi's future at Arsenal has come into question in recent weeks, with the Spaniard still yet to start a Premier League match this season. The central midfielder made an immediate impact after signing from Real Sociedad for £60million 18 months ago, starting 34 matches as Mikel Arteta's side ended their 22-year wait for another league title.
Fatigue, however, eventually caught up with Zubimendi at the end of last season and his place was effectively taken by teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, who started in his place in the Champions League final. Lewis-Skelly's continued form, as well as the high-profile summer arrival of Bruno Guimaraes, has seen Zubimendi slide down the pecking order in north London and sparked speculation that a January move could be on the cards for the World Cup winner.
Atletico interest could help Arsenal land Alvarez
Atletico Madrid are reportedly keen to bring Zubimendi back to La Liga, and Smith believes the Gunners can use that interest to finally strike a deal for Alvarez, who they were heavily interested in over the summer.
'Obviously he played a big part last season, but having been an ever-present, he might be getting a bit restless not to be getting starts, just to be coming off the bench for a few minutes,' Smith told Best Betting Sites.
'So that might be something that can be part of a bargaining chip for Arsenal.
'If you could do a part swap, then obviously you're not shelling out over 100 million pounds on Alvarez, because I'm sure Atletico would want something well in excess of that. So that might be a way forward.
'Looking at his games this season, he's only got a couple of goals for Atletico. But he's 26 years old, he's got some good years ahead of him, and he's got plenty of energy. So to me, he still looks like the most suitable target for Arsenal.'
Zubimendi's quiet start explained
On Zubimendi's quiet start to the season, the former Arsenal striker added: 'It's a strange one. I don't know what's happened, whether Arteta has decided he wants a different sort of midfielder.
'Obviously, Lewis-Skelly's coming into the reckoning, and Guimaraes, who's a totally different player to Zubimendi, he's more dynamic, more likely to get you a goal.'
Zubimendi has also been linked with a move to Chelsea, but the Arsenal midfielder was keen to pour cold water on any speculation linking him with a move away from the Emirates in the upcoming window.
'To be honest, I'm sometimes surprised by the press too,' he told Marca. 'I understand that the winter transfer window is approaching and rumors can surface, but I think we need to be a bit more careful with what we publish.
'Ultimately, everyone has a team they play for, and we need to respect that. I've also read that I might be close, but not at all.
'Often a news story comes out and it seems that if it doesn't come true, it's quickly forgotten and nothing happens. I'm learning how this world works and getting used to it, but sometimes I could avoid a lot of the messages I receive because of this kind of news.'
