Liverpool’s pursuit of Martin Zubimendi was unsuccessful in the summertime, however the Reds seemingly haven’t dominated out attempting to signal the midfielder in January.
The Premier League leaders are performing wonderfully regardless of the shortage of a starter-level midfield signing forward of Arne Slot’s first season in cost.
Nonetheless, the Zubimendi saga is way from over, because the Merseysiders may very properly strive their luck once more within the January switch window, with the participant nonetheless regarded extremely in L4.
David Lynch wrote in his latest Substack column: “It’s attention-grabbing to notice {that a} sure Martin Zubimendi has but to signal the brand new contract that was considered as a formality as soon as he elected to stay at Actual Sociedad in August.
“Since then, the Basque membership have gained simply two of 11 video games, leaving them fifteenth in La Liga and staring down the barrel of an early Europa League exit. And as a lot as life within the midfielder’s hometown has its enchantment, you ponder whether each he and Sociedad at the moment are starting to assume {that a} transfer would make sense sooner reasonably than later.”
He added: “For his or her half, Liverpool sources are refusing to rule out going again in for the Spain worldwide, and no sense is on condition that bridges between participant and membership have been utterly burned.
“However, if there may be any concern of one other snub that might break the Reds’ January plans, then it’s clear that the recruitment crew’s activity is to seek out an alternate choice. “
The Euro 2024 winner has performed in all nine of Real Sociedad’s La Liga games this time period (beginning eight), scoring one objective for the Basque aspect.
Sociedad’s poor kind may immediate Zubimendi switch
The 25-year-old has a release clause of just over €60m (£51m), which may reportedly be triggered in January ought to he not put pen to paper for a brand new cope with his boyhood membership.
It’s price noting that Lynch additionally talks in regards to the Reds’ lack of midfield depth given the harm points we’ve confronted already this season, with Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott each lacking some video games.
Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai look set to be the first midfield starters beneath Slot this season, however the absence of any of them would depart the brand new boss ‘relying on players he has made clear do not fit his vision’.
In the meanwhile, Zubimendi’s contract runs until 2027. Whereas his love for his present membership is admirable, certainly a participant of his calibre wouldn’t need to be combating for a mid-table spot (or worse) in the course of the prime of his profession.
Sociedad’s poor kind, mixed with Liverpool’s electrical begin beneath the Dutchman, may but immediate the Spain worldwide to make the leap in 2025.
Lynch indicated that there was no unhealthy blood between the 2 golf equipment over the failed switch, and that may certainly inspire Richard Hughes and firm to aim to signal the proficient participant once more in January.
Whereas we love watching Gravenberch’s meteoric rise and are more than pleased with MacAllister and Szboszlai’s performances, a high crew like Liverpool ought to undoubtedly attempt to recruit one other world-class midfielder as we try to problem for main silverware this season and past.