by Liverpool midfield candidate Martin Zubimendi has rejected a move to Anfield to stay at Real Sociedad.
The Spanish international, whose contract at the Anoeta Stadium included a £51 million release clause, was expected to leave the La Liga club this summer.
However, Sociedad were keen to keep hold of Zubimendi and the 25-year-old has now decided to stay at the Basque club after being offered a new contract with a higher salary.
It now remains to be seen whether Liverpool, the only Premier League club not to have made a transfer this summer, will turn their focus to other midfield targets.
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The Good Morning Transfers panel discusses how Liverpool might cope this season after failing to bring in any new signings
However, the Reds’ new head coach Arne Slot can call on players such as Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Sobozslai and Wataru Endo to play in midfield, while right-back Trent Alexander Arnold was also often used in that role last season under previous manager Jürgen Klopp.
Zubimendi shone in the 2024 Euro final against England, replacing Rodri at half-time as Spain won 2-1.
Zubimendi was part of the Spanish team that won the 2024 European Championship
The midfielder has been playing for Sociedad since 2011 and helped the club to sixth place last season with four goals in 31 appearances.
“Big loss for Liverpool and Hughes”
Sky Sports reporter Danyal Khan:
On Monday night, Liverpool were under the impression that Martin Zubimendi wanted to leave Real Sociedad. He had been there since the age of 12, came through the academy and was ready for a new challenge.
But then he made it very clear that he had changed his mind. That might have been due to pressure from the club, but also because of that £51 million release clause.
Richard Hughes joined Liverpool from Bournemouth as sporting director in the summer
In Spain, it is very important that the player activates this release clause so that the club can then start talks and facilitate the transfer. But it never even got that far because Zubimendi changed his mind.
Looking at the Real Sociedad part of the situation, it must be said that they have already lost Robin Le Normand, who left for Atletico Madrid this summer, and we have also heard links of Mikel Moreno to Arsenal, so perhaps losing Zubimendi, who has a contract until 2027, would be one loss too many.
You also have to admit that this is a big loss for Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s new sporting director. Liverpool had identified this player as someone they thought would really strengthen their midfield.
Slot opens the Reds’ reign with a trip to Ipswich
Arne Slot starts his Liverpool era with a lunch trip to the newly promoted club Ipswich Town on the opening Saturday of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
The Dutchman will then face fellow countryman Erik ten Hag when Liverpool play their arch-rivals. Manchester United at Old Trafford, in only his third game as manager of the club; the game is currently scheduled for Saturday 31 August.
The Reds face difficult home games against Chelsea and away to arsenal in October, before we Manchester City End of November.
The first Merseyside derby of the season will take place at Goodison Park on December 7, while Liverpool will start the new year with an entertaining Manchester United on January 4th.
Slot’s team travels to the champions on 22 February before the second Merseyside derby of the season takes place on 2 April and they start the season with a game against Chelsea a) and arsenal (h) in consecutive matches in May with Crystal Palace comes to Anfield on the last day.
