Liverpool’s failure to sign Martin Zubimendi last summer has not cost them much. Arne Slot repurposed Ryan Gravenberch as a defensive midfielder and he has been brilliant in that number 6 role. The Reds sit at the summit of the Premier League table with a nine-point lead over the chasing pack. Unless there is a dramatic downturn in form, the Reds are now the biggest favourites to win the Premier League. However, missing out on him again could cost them dearly in the coming years.
Zubimendi has a deep bond with Real Sociedad and he just couldn’t convince himself to leave La Real last summer when Liverpool offered him a lucrative opportunity to move to Anfield.
The midfielder is widely considered the best number 6, playing outside the elite teams in Europe and is wanted by almost all the top clubs in Europe due to the consistency of performances he has shown for multiple seasons.
Some are whispering that the midfielder is considering moving on from Real Sociedad in the upcoming transfer windows and Liverpool are on high alert.
Liverpool have already been linked with getting a deal done to sign him in January but some of the reports are getting a bit carried away at the moment.
The Athletic has claimed that Zubimendi is coming around to the idea of leaving the Spanish club and there is now a real chance that he will move on from the Anoeta.
However, any deal would have to wait until the summer as he is highly unlikely to want to leave his beloved Real Sociedad in the middle of the season.
Missing out on Martin Zubimendi again will have serious ramifications for the Reds
The midfielder could consider moving on next summer but unlike the last transfer window, Liverpool are unlikely to have a clear run at him.
The list of suitors have grown and Arsenal and Manchester City are interested in getting their hands on him when he becomes available for a transfer.
The Gunners have been long-term admirers of the midfielder and Mikel Arteta has identified him as the top target for the number 6 role in the team.
Manchester City need a Rodri replacement and who better to bring in than Zubimendi who is the Ballon d’Or winner’s understudy in the Spain national team as well.
The presence of a €60m release clause means that a deal would come down to who is offering the best project and top wages.
Can you name the team Liverpool sold these players to?
Liverpool are an exciting project under Slot and winning the Premier League title would add more leverage to their argument to the player.
However, Arsenal and Manchester City have the money to offer him massive wages while Liverpool are likely to stick to a strict wage structure.
But Liverpool cannot afford to miss out on him again next time around. It didn’t affect them much last summer but losing out on a player of his quality to a Premier League rival could haunt them for years.
The Reds need Zubimendi but it is also important to deny Arsenal and Manchester City access to one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.
