Why does Arne Slot want Martin Zubimendi?
Arne Slot’s interest in Martin Zubimendi for Liverpool stems from the midfielder’s exceptional technical skills and versatility.
Slot, known for his tactical nous and emphasis on ball control and possession, sees Zubimendi as the perfect fit for his system. Zubimendi’s ability to play as a deep-lying playmaker allows him to dictate the flow of the game from the base of the midfield, a role that is crucial in Slot’s setup.
One of the primary reasons Slot is keen on Zubimendi is his proficiency in ball retention and distribution.
In a league as fast-paced as the Premier League, having a midfielder who can maintain possession under pressure and make incisive passes is invaluable.
Zubimendi’s vision and ability to execute long and short passes with precision make him a vital asset for transitioning from defense to attack.
But he is more than a good passer and technician, he is a physical player who can contribute to defense as his role will require.
His awareness and ability to read the game enable him to intercept passes and break up opposition attacks effectively.
According to data from FBRef, the Spaniard ranks in the 81st percentile for aerial duels won, in the 77th percentiles for clearances, and in the 68th percentile for interceptions [ compared to positional peers in Men’s Big 5 League over last 365 days].
This means he is not afraid of doing the ‘dirty work’ in conjunction to being silky smooth on the ball.
This defensive solidity, combined with his technical prowess, makes him a complete midfielder capable of excelling in both defensive and offensive phases of play – with Arne Slot a keen admirer.
What could stop a Martin Zubimendi transfer?
It has already been reported by David Ornstein that Liverpool have a few hurdles to overcome if they are to secure the signing.
Release Clause: To get Zubimendi, Liverpool has to pay his release clause of €60 million (£51.7m; $63.4m) in full. Real Sociedad, his current club, may not agree to negotiate a lower fee.
However, the fact that Liverpool paid Dominik Szoboszlai’s release clause last summer suggests the club would do it for Zubimendi they see him as a top target.
Convincing the Player: Liverpool also needs to persuade Zubimendi to join them. Other top clubs like Arsenal and Barcelona have shown interest in him before but haven’t been able to convince him to leave Real Sociedad according to reports.
As we have found out, he has been at Real Sociedad since a very young age and very likely feels a strong allegiance towards the Spanish outfit.
Liverpool have lost key midfielders like Thiago, Jordan Henderson, and Fabinho in the past few seasons.
Although plenty of reinforcements have come in since then, it does feel like the world-class ability of Fabinho has not been replaced.
Therefore, it does feel like the ball is in Zubimendi’s court.
If he greenlights a move, Liverpool will be willing to pay the release clause as they did for Dominik Szoboszlai.
For now, we will eagerly await to see if the Spanish maestro becomes the first signing of the Arne Slot era… and what a first signing it would be.
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.