Chelsea has reportedly registered their interest in Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi ahead of the January transfer window opening next Sunday.

The 23-year-old has been excellent in La Liga so far this season appearing in all 14 of their league matches to date with Sociedad sat in third place, although they’re already 11 points off of leaders Barcelona.

A youth product of the Basque club, the Spaniard received his breakthrough in the 2020/21 season and has since been a regular for his boyhood side with his sole senior appearance for Spain coming just before last summer’s delayed European Championships having been included in their Olympic team.

Having now developed into a highly-rated defensive midfielder, Zubimendi is starting to attract interest from other clubs with the Blues believed to be firmly in the race. In fact, according to journalist Simon Phillips, the west London club has already made contact with the Spaniard’s representatives.

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Phillips revealed: “I was given the name Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, a Spain international. Chelsea has registered their official interest in him with his agent, so they have started that.

“Barcelona is another club that is interested in signing him. Apparently, Xavi really likes him.”

With a contract that doesn’t expire until 2027 and a release clause believed to stand at £ 56 million, it could prove to be tricky for Graham Potter to lure Zubimendi to Stamford Bridge this month.