Martin Zubimendi, a midfield target for Liverpool, has declined a transfer to Anfield in order to remain at Real Sociedad.
It was anticipated that the Spain international, whose Anoeta Stadium contract included a £51 million release clause, would depart the La Liga team this summer.
Despite Sociedad’s desperation to retain onto Zubimendi, the 25-year-old has chosen to stay with the Basque club in the wake of being presented with a new deal that offers a greater salary.
It is now unclear if Liverpool, the only Premier League team without a transfer this summer, would shift their attention to other midfield candidates.
However, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Sobozslai, and Wataru Endo are among the players the new Reds head coach Arne Slot can call upon to play in midfield. Trent Alexander Arnold, a right-back, was also frequently used in that capacity under former manager Jurgen Klopp last season.
When Zubimendi took Rodri’s place at halftime in the Euro 2024 final against England, Spain won 2-1 and Zubimendi was brilliant.
The midfielder, who has been with Sociedad since 2011, scored four goals in 31 games to help the team finish sixth last year.
The first game of the 2024–25 Premier League season, a trip to newly promoted Ipswich Town at midday, marks Arne Slot’s debut at Liverpool.
