Paul Joyce: Liverpool ‘Optimistic’ in Race to Sign Martin Zubimendi

Liverpool are on the verge of a significant midfield reinforcement with their pursuit of Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi. As reported by Paul Joyce in The Times, manager Arne Slot is eyeing the 25-year-old Spaniard to inject more control into Liverpool’s midfield. Zubimendi’s performance in the Euro 2024 final, where he replaced the injured Rodri and helped Spain secure victory, underlines his potential impact at Anfield.

Martín Zubimendi is on the radar of several top European clubs, including Barcelona, ​​whose former coach Xavi praised him as someone who dominates “with and without the ball”. His decision to remain at his boyhood club Real Sociedad so far speaks to his loyalty and development as a player. Last season, Zubimendi played 45 times for Sociedad, demonstrating his consistency and importance to the team.

His technical ability and composure make him an ideal fit for Arne Slot’s vision of a more possession-based game. Slot’s strategy has moved away from the style employed by previous manager Jürgen Klopp, focusing instead on slow, calculated build-up play and retention of possession — an approach to which Zubimendi is well suited.

Despite the clear benefits, Liverpool face financial and logistical obstacles in securing Zubimendi. His £51m release clause is a significant outlay, and Real Sociedad are insisting the fee be paid in a single instalment. Liverpool’s recent acquisitions, including Dominik Szoboszlai for £60m and Alexis Mac Allister for £35m, have already stretched their budget.

To facilitate such a transfer, Liverpool may need to offload some current squad members. £20m-rated Tyler Morton is attracting interest from RB Leipzig, while Leicester City and Southampton are both interested in signing Fabio Carvalho. Such sales could generate the funds needed to meet Sociedad’s demands and make room for Zubimendi in the squad.

The acquisition of Zubimendi aligns with Liverpool’s wider strategy to strengthen their midfield. Last summer’s signing of Wataru Endo from Stuttgart was seen as a temporary solution following failed bids for Moisés Caicedo and Roméo Lavia, both of whom have since joined Chelsea. Slot’s preference for a technically proficient No.6 makes Zubimendi a crucial target.

Zubimendi’s ability to dictate the tempo of a match and maintain possession under pressure was evident in Spain’s Euro 2024 final victory. His impact was noted by England manager Gareth Southgate, who admitted England struggled to win possession following Rodri’s injury. Slot will likely be looking to replicate that kind of control at Anfield, which could be crucial in high-stakes matches.

Zubimendi’s agent, Iñaki Ibañez, also represents Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola, making him a familiar figure to Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes. Hughes, who brought Iraola to Bournemouth as a manager, knows Ibañez well and has a good understanding of Zubimendi’s potential fit into the Liverpool set-up.

This connection could smooth negotiations and help facilitate Zubimendi’s move to Anfield. Furthermore, the endorsement of high-profile figures such as Xavi and interest from Barcelona underline the midfielder’s quality and potential.

The potential signing of Martin Zubimendi has Liverpool fans excited. His addition to the squad promises to bring a new level of control and composure to the midfield, something that has been missing since the days of Steven Gerrard. Zubimendi’s performance in the Euro 2024 final showed his ability to step up in crucial moments, a trait that Liverpool fans will greatly appreciate.

Arne Slot’s vision of a possession-based game aligns perfectly with Zubimendi’s strengths. The midfielder’s technical skills and intelligence on the ball are exactly what Liverpool need to dominate matches and break down stubborn defences. Fans can already picture Zubimendi pulling the strings in midfield, dictating the tempo and creating opportunities for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez.

Furthermore, the financial investment required, while significant, is a testament to the club’s commitment to building a team capable of challenging on all fronts. The prospect of offloading players like Tyler Morton and Fabio Carvalho, who have yet to hit their stride, to fund this move is a strategic decision that could pay dividends in the long run.

In conclusion, the potential arrival of Martin Zubimendi at Anfield is an exciting development for Liverpool fans. His signing would not only strengthen the squad but also signal a clear intention from the club to compete at the highest level. As the summer transfer window draws to a close, all eyes will be on Liverpool to see if they can secure this key addition to their midfield.