Liverpool wanted to sign a defensive midfielder in the summer transfer window but the club failed to sign one of their priority targets.
Arne Slot has managed to repurpose Ryan Gravenberch into a defensive midfielder to make up for the lack of options in the Liverpool squad.
Wataru Endo is not a player that suits the new Liverpool manager’s style of football and he is likely to leave in January with three Premier League clubs interested in him.
Liverpool are sitting at the top of the Premier League table after seven games but the club are still keen to bring in a top number 6 in the winter transfer window.
Martin Zubimendi rejected a move to Liverpool last summer and recently admitted that he doesn’t regret his decision to stay at Real Sociedad.
Jamie Carragher has urged Liverpool to try and sign the Spaniard again in January given he was the undisputed number-one target for the Merseyside giants in the summer.
However, if Liverpool decide to make another move for Zubimendi they won’t have a clear run at him, unlike last summer.
Manchester City want the Liverpool target in the winter window
Pep Guardiola wants to bring in a defensive midfielder to replace Rodri who has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
Given the way Fulham opened up Manchester City regularly at the weekend, they are prioritising bringing in a top defensive midfielder in January.
According to Spanish outlet Relevo, Zubimendi has been identified as the top target by the reigning Premier League champions.
Manchester City want to take advantage of the fact that he is yet to sign a new contract with Real Sociedad and his €60m release clause is still active.
They are prepared to pay the clause but the real challenge would be to convince the player to accept the move to England in January.
Liverpool failed to do it in the summer when the emotion of staying at Real Sociedad overpowered the lure of playing in the Premier League.
Manchester City are laying down the groundwork to make an approach to Zubimendi with a lucrative offer to move to the Etihad in the winter window.
