La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly weighing up the prospect of signing Martin Zubimendi, who has a €60 million release clause in his Real Sociedad contract.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Martin Zubimendi is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old has a €60 million release clause in his contract with La Liga outfit Real Sociedad.
Martin Zubimendi has come a long way since joining Real Sociedad’s youth setup as a 12-year-old in 2011. The Spanish international progressed through the ranks rapidly before making his first-team breakthrough in April 2019. Over the last two and a half years, he has gone from being a prodigious midfielder to a pivotal figure for La Real.
Primarily a defensive midfielder, the 23-year-old has featured 84 times to date for Real Sociedad, with 32 outings coming in the ongoing campaign. Zubimendi’s progress has not gone unnoticed either, with Barcelona among the clubs that have been closely monitoring him lately.
The interest from Barcelona stems from Sergio Busquets’s advancing years, with the decorated midfielder approaching the end of his illustrious career. The 33-year-old has already shown signs of age catching up to him, even though he has been playing with renewed vigour since Xavi Hernandez’s appointment as the manager.
The Catalan giants are laying down a succession plan for Busquets, considering he has been one of their most important players over the years. To that end, Marcelo Brozovic had emerged as a key target for Barcelona, with the Blaugrana even prepared to offer him a deal worth €8 million per year.
But Brozovic is set to commit his long-term future to Inter Milan, with the Nerazzurri poised to announce the renewal imminently. Barcelona will thus need to set sights on another defensive midfielder, which brings Zubimendi into the picture.
The pursuit of the 23-year-old Spanish international will be complicated, considering he has a €60 million release clause in his Real Sociedad contract. With his current deal running until June 2025, Barcelona are unlikely to be quoted a small amount for Zubimendi’s services by their fellow La Liga club. Amid their crippling financial situation, Barcelona might have to turn their attention towards a cheaper alternative.
