Liverpool target Martin Zubimendi has rejected a transfer to Anfield to continue his career at Real Sociedad. Given his £51m release clause at the Anoeta Stadium, the Spain international was expected to leave the La Liga club this summer.
Nevertheless, Sociedad was determined to retain Zubimendi, and the 25-year-old has chosen to remain with the Basque club after being presented with a new contract with higher wages.
The question now is whether Liverpool, which has not yet made a transfer this summer, will shift its attention to other midfield targets.
However, new Reds head coach Arne Slot has the option to use players like Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Sobozslai, and Wataru Endo in midfield. In addition, former manager Jurgen Klopp frequently deployed right-back Trent Alexander Arnold in midfield last season.
Zubimendi performed exceptionally well in the Euro 2024 final versus England after coming on for Rodri in the second half, contributing to Spain’s 2-1 victory.
He has been with Sociedad since 2011 and played a part in the team’s sixth-place finish last season, finding the net four times in 31 games.