Real Sociedad will retain Martin Zubimendi as their player of choice this summer after the Liverpool star turned down a deal to join the Merseyside club.
Liverpool were hoping to entice the European Championship winner from Real Madrid this transfer window, as he was a major target for Arne Slot’s side. Arsenal and Bayern Munich were among the clubs that he turned down in the past.
The transfer seems to have fallen through after Zubimendi’s current club, managed by Imanol Alguacil, launched a charm offensive to keep him.Apparently, the boss spoke with the 25-year-old multiple times, pleading with him to stay and bringing up the disappointment of the fanbase if he left. A lot of what Imanol said about Zubimendi’s life in San Sebastián was positive.
He gave a talk about Zubimendi’s passion for trekking up Mount Ulia and the delicious cuisine alternatives in the Basque region. Also mentioned was the player’s statement to Spanish television regarding his intention to remain with La Real following the Euro final.With a £52 million (€60 million) release clause, Zubimendi was willing to leave his current club and join Liverpool in England. Liverpool also gave him a substantial financial incentive to do so. However, the athlete had no interest in leaving Sociedad, the club he helped found in his hometown.
With Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo as options, the Reds think they have enough depth in the holding midfield position. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai are also expected to make an appearance there.
Supposedly, Hughes is fuming because he believed Zubimendi had promised to sign with the Liverpool club. Although Liverpool has not totally dismissed the idea of adding a No. 6 to their roster this summer, the club’s stance against signing players just for the purpose of it and the amount of time remaining in the transfer window make it seem highly unlikely.
Zubimendi was thought to have given Liverpool an unambiguous assent to sign with the club. Since no club in the top five European leagues has signed a player this summer, Liverpool fans are starting to doubt the club’s hierarchy.