Reason Liverpool backed away from Martin Zubimendi switch as Arsenal swoop in
Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for Martin Zubimendi in the summer, but a deal failed to materialise with the midfielder deciding to remain with Real Sociedad
Liverpool have made their stance on Martin Zubimendi crystal clear.
Zubimendi was strongly linked to Anfield over the summer, with a deal agreed between the two parties, but the Spanish midfielder performed a u-turn and elected to stay at Real Sociedad.
However, Arsenal are now closing on Zubimendi’s signature after, reports suggest, they tabled a £51million deal. Sociedad are putting up their defensive walls and hoping to hold onto their star man until the summer.
Arne Slot’s midfield is already lush with top talent like a revamped Ryan Gravenberch, making Zubimendi old news on Merseyside. Earlier in the season, Slot laid it out, nixing any gossip over a Zubimendi redux, reports the Mirror.
“If you’ve noticed it is not that much of one holding midfielder, it is a bit more two.
“And one of those two can be a bit more attacking and I think the player you mentioned [Zubimendi] could have fitted in one of those two roles and Ryan [Gravenberch] can fit in both roles like Curtis [Jones] can, [Alexis] Mac Allister can and Wataru [Endo] can.”
“Zubimendi is no longer an option as he opted to remain with Real Sociedad and we’ve moved forward, and we’re really pleased with Ryan.”
Meanwhile, Zubimendi revealed why he chose to reject a move to Anfield, telling El Diario Vasco last month: “I went on vacation, and it caught me by surprise. It wasn’t something I had planned.”
“I reacted when the situation arose. It was an uncomfortable time for me but I weighed the pros and cons and concluded that the best option was to stay. I don’t believe in ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunities.
“If you’re good and want to achieve something, it will come to you. There’s no need to rush. I looked at my personal progression, who I am, and the club’s project.”
“I stayed because I knew this season would be important for me in the team, and I still had steps to take. It wasn’t that hard of a decision. There were many reasons for my decision, but I was selfish and thought about what was best for me – and that was staying.”
