Liverpool are approaching the January transfer window from a real position of strength. Arne Slot is settled as the manager at Anfield and his team are sitting at the summit of the Premier League table while emerging as the favourites to win the league. There was a lot of churn in the background last summer, which resulted in a chaotic window that saw the club only sign Federico Chiesa towards the end while missing out on their priorities. The fans should expect better this time around but it won’t be a straightforward window in January as well.
The Merseyside giants are circumspect about doing business in the winter window as the club feel getting top players out of clubs in the middle of the season is always a more expensive adventure. As things stand, Liverpool do not expect to be too busy in January as Arne Slot is said to be happy about the depth of his squad.
However, there are certain players in the market who could force the club to alter their plans and Liverpool are always open to doing business if a long-term target becomes available in the middle of the season. The Reds want that flexibility in their approach and are prepared to be more proactive.
Martin Zubimendi is one of those players who will force Liverpool to rethink their transfer strategy if he becomes available in the January transfer window. The Spaniard was the number 6 they wanted last summer, and once he decided against leaving Real Sociedad, they didn’t believe there was another player of his calibre.
Jamie Carragher has already urged the Merseyside giants to try and sign the Spain midfielder in the winter transfer window if they can given his quality. However, unlike last summer, Liverpool are unlikely to get a clear run at the player even if he is open to leaving the Anoeta in the middle of the season.
Manchester City and Arsenal to complicate the Reds’ pursuit of the Spaniard
Zubimendi has continued to show his class this season and has provided ample displays to suggest that he is ready to join one of the bigwigs of the Premier League. However, the midfielder has said nothing to suggest that he is pushing to leave Real Sociedad in the middle of the season.
However, Liverpool are still keen and will likely explore the possibility of taking him to Anfield again in the winter window if they get some signal from the player. But a move for Zubimendi will likely be much more complicated in January despite the affordable €60m release clause in his contract.
The Merseyside giants are no longer alone in the race for the Spaniard as two of the biggest clubs in the Premier League also have their eyes on him.
Manchester City are actively seeking a replacement for the injured Rodri in the winter window and are interested in getting their hands on Zubimendi. The Spaniard is seen as the ideal player to replace the current Ballon d’Or holder in Pep Guardiola’s team and Manchester City are working on a deal to try and sign him in the winter window.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also wants to add to his midfield options and has prioritised bringing in a number 6. The Gunners have their eyes on the Real Sociedad midfielder and are set to push to take him to the Emirates in the upcoming transfer window.
Can you name the team Liverpool sold these players to?
Liverpool had a clear run at Zubimendi last summer when the other big clubs had different priorities. However, this time around the Reds will face serious competition for his signature.
The €60m release clause means the club that makes the most compelling case to the player would win the race. Guardiola has a history of convincing stars to play for him and Arteta has been a top salesman for Arsenal in the last few years.
Liverpool failed to sell a move to Anfield to Zubimendi last summer and will now have to contend with competition from two of their Premier League title rivals if they want to sign him in the winter window.
