Liverpool are pushing hard to convince European Championship winner Martin Zubimendi to join the club – but the Reds are fighting against an intense charm offensive from top executives at Real Sociedad.
It emerged on Wednesday that Zubimendi, the 25-year-old defensive midfielder, had been earmarked as a top target for Arne Slot and new sporting director Richard Hughes to improve the No 6 position at Liverpool.
Zubimendi has a release clause of €60million (£51.6m) and, while some close to the Spanish club have admitted they are resigned to losing the player this summer, it is believed he is yet to make a final decision on whether to depart his boyhood team.
Mail Sport understands Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil is leading a drive to persuade Zubimendi to stay put. The boss, who handed Zubimendi his first-team debut in 2019, has held several meetings with the midfielder this week to tempt him away from Liverpool.
Zubimendi rejected Arsenal and Bayern Munich last summer and he is leaning towards leaving more now than ever before. But Imanol and La Real executives have told the player his best option might be to continue in Spain for at least one more year.
Spanish sources have suggested part of the club’s charm offensive includes reiterating how good Zubimendi’s life is in San Sebastian. The player has a nucleus of friends in the city and enjoys walking in the Monte Urgull mountain region overlooking the Basque region.
Imanol will also point to the fan reaction if he was to leave the Anoeta Stadium club. Earlier this summer, Zubimendi told
El Diario Vasco: ‘Where am I going to play next season? I'm going to be at Real Sociedad. I have a contract and that's where I feel most comfortable.’
Zubimendi was part of La Real training this morning and the squad are set to fly to Berlin on Thursday afternoon for a friendly against Union in the German capital on Friday. The club was planning for Zubimendi to travel.
Merseyside-based sources have played down any suggestion of confidence but it is fair to say Liverpool are pushing hard. While news of the Spanish club’s charm offensive might be seen as a blow, they were never going to let him leave without putting up a fight.
Liverpool, though, are trying their best to convince him that his best option is to join a top club and play regular football in the Champions League. A quality No 6 could be a vital piece of the jigsaw as Slot looks to improve on last season’s third-placed finish.
Hughes has good relations with agent Inaki Ibanez, who represents Zubimendi, after the pair connected to bring Andoni Iraola to Bournemouth last summer. Ibanez will be keen on the move and Zubimendi could follow in the footsteps of idol Xabi Alonso, also represented by the agency.
If Zubimendi does leave Spain – which is still more likely than not despite his manager's best efforts – the deal could be wrapped up with relative speed. There will be at least one Spaniard on show at Anfield this weekend, with Sevilla and Las Palmas the opposition in friendlies.