Article body analysed
Liverpool and Manchester City still want to sign Martin Zubimendi, along with Arsenal, following reports of their interest
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Liverpool have expertly revamped their midfield over the last couple of seasons, replacing the likes of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch. Arne Slot has reaped the rewards of the club’s shrewd transfer business, helping Liverpool to the top of the Premier League and Champions League tables midway through his first season. But the Reds could yet make further improvements to their midfield in an attempt to strengthen their position at the top of English football. According to transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, Liverpool could reignite their interest in Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who has also been linked with Manchester City and Arsenal. It has been reported by the Mail journalist, Sami Mokbel, that Zubimendi is in advanced talks with Arsenal – but Jacobs now suggested there could be a twist in this particular transfer tale, following reports from AS that nothing has been agreed and that the player himself is “tired of so many rumours and gossip”. “The only real exception [to forward planning] in recent years from Liverpool that we've seen is in the middle of the park, where Liverpool probably needed a midfield revamp over one or two windows, and by the time they did it, it was obvious that it was very urgent, ” Jacobs said, speaking to Four Four Two on January 13. “And even now, you could make an argument that Liverpool could still do with another no. 6. And if Martin Zubimendi changes his mind, then I'd expect Liverpool and Manchester City to both be there for his signature. So there could be a battle in the summer for Zubimendi, and if Liverpool re-enter that race, they'll feel quite optimistic, because they don't feel that Zubimendi rejected Liverpool or the project so much as he chose to stay at Real Sociedad, where his heart is. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. “So if the player has a u-turn about leaving Real, then Liverpool will still be there. And it's very telling that after not getting Zubimendi, they didn't sign another no. 6, so on the list of priorities for 2025 in the next probably one to four windows, will be to bring in another no. 6, and Zubimendi and Liverpool could still be one to watch, but don't discount Manchester City also entering that race. “But it all depends on the player. The release clause means nothing if the player hasn't changed his mind about leaving Real Sociedad. ” Meanwhile, German journalist Florian Plettenberg has reported that Bayern Munich are interested in Zubimendi, a wanted man having caught the eye at Euro 2024 and in La Liga. Real Madrid and Barcelona are also said to be keeping an eye on the situation. In FFT’s view, Zubimendi would be an excellent signing for any of Liverpool, Manchester City or Arsenal, and he is likely to be one of the major talking points in the transfer market this year. Callum is a football writer who has had work published by the likes of BBC Sport, the Independent, BT Sport and the Blizzard, amongst various others. A lifelong Wrexham fan, he is hoping Ryan Reynolds can lead his hometown club to the promised land. Pep Guardiola’s transfer admission shows change is on the cards for Manchester City ‘Graeme Souness used to line us up vs the English lads at training. We had a proper scrap one day’ Ally Mc Coist recalls the legendary England vs Scotland training games at Rangers Liverpool report: Club chief drops Mohamed Salah exit tease, with picture emerging of possible next destination Four Four Two is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site. ©
Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury,
Bath
BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.