Arne Slot’s Liverpool have decided to drop their interest in the services of Real Sociedad midfield mainstay Martin Zubimendi.
Liverpool were keen on reinforcing their midfield during the summer. The Reds wanted to bring in a new defensive midfielder and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi was at the top of their wishlist. The Merseyside club were confident about securing his services but they were left empty-handed as the Spanish international decided to continue at his childhood club.
Arne Slot’s team are still on the lookout for a new defensive midfielder and they have been linked with the Sociedad star. But, according to a report from Football Insider, the Reds will not return for his services in the winter of the summer.
Zubimendi has been a part of the Spanish outfit since his childhood days. He came up the ranks at some pace and has been a part of their first team since the summer of 2020. The 25-year-old managed to establish himself as one of their mainstays and his consistent performances had put him on the radar of Arsenal as well as Liverpool.
The Gunners tried to sign him early in the summer transfer window but they withdrew from the race as it seemed unlikely that Zubimendi would leave Sociedad. But, Liverpool were quite keen on his signature and they pushed for his services until the end.
Liverpool are no longer keen on signing Zubimendi
The Reds had signed Japanese veteran Wataru Endō for the number six role last summer. He was considered a stop-gap signing and they wanted to bring in a world-class defensive midfielder this time out. Zubimendi was at the top of their wishlist and they did knock on Sociedad’s door.
Liverpool were confident about striking a deal for the Spanish midfielder. But, they couldn’t convince him about the move to Anfield as Zubimendi ultimately decided to stay put. While reports have suggested that the Reds retain their interest in the Sociedad graduate, the Reds will no longer pursue a deal for the 25-year-old.
More importantly, the Spanish midfielder has no intentions of leaving his childhood club and it would take a massive u-turn on the player’s part for any deal to go through in the winter or next summer. While signing a new defensive midfielder remains a priority for the Reds, they will be looking at alternative targets.
