It is no longer news that Liverpool are interested in signing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
Since the news of the Reds’ interest in the player broke a few days ago, there have been several reports coming from English and Spanish journalists about his reported move to the Premier League.
Some of these reports have been contrasting, making some Liverpool fans nervous over the likelihood of the 25-year-old moving to Anfield this summer.
However, one thing is clear, Liverpool want the player and the Spanish international is also flattered by Liverpool’s interest as we exclusively revealed yesterday in an interview with Real Sociedad reporter Mikel Recalde.
With the player and club interested, what then is holding the deal?
It seems the only thing that seems to be standing in the way of Zubimendi being unveiled as a Liverpool player is the financial side of things.
The Sociedad man has a €60 million release clause and Liverpool are willing to pay it, but not immediately as
Earlier today we shared a report from Spain claiming that Liverpool and Sociedad are still working on reaching an agreement for the player.
Per the report, one new possibility being discussed is for the Reds to send some players in the opposite direction either on loan or permanently.
This exchange appears to be the only thing holding the deal from being officially announced.
New update on Zubimendi
However, according to Sport Mail’s Lewis Steele, the deal for Zubimendi is not being held up by Liverpool offering any players in exchange for the midfielder.
According to Steele, Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes is pushing very hard to convince Zubimendi to leave his boyhood club, so any hold-ups in a deal are not due to desire of Liverpool to send a player to the Basque club, but the delay is due to the player’s decision and the structure of any deal.
Zubimendi is a loyal Sociedad player, and has repeatedly rejected several top clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern, despite his desire to play in the Premier League.
Liverpool fans will be hoping he decides to come to Anfield though, and follow in the footsteps of his childhood idol Xabi Alonso, who spent several successful years as a Liverpool player.
Told that Liverpool and Richard Hughes are pushing very hard to convince Martin Zubimendi to leave his boyhood club. Any hold-ups in a deal are not due to players being offered in exchange — the delay is due to the player’s decision and the structure of any deal. #LFC ?
— Lewis Steele (@LewisSteele_) August 9, 2024
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