Athletic transfer journalist David Ornstein has provided some insight into the developing Martin Zubimendi – Liverpool story.
News broke on Wednesday that Liverpool were examining the prospect of the Spain international as reported by the reliable Paul Joyce.
It is asserted that Arne Slot wants the talented 25-year-old midfielder from Real Sociedad, to address deficiencies in the team ahead of the upcoming season.
It is thought that the Dutchman wants the technical capabilities that Zubimendi can offer at the base of midfield, something that he seemingly cannot see in Wataru Endo.
However, Ornstein has reported that it will not be a simple transfer to conduct and may details will need to be ironed out if the Reds are to bring the Spaniard to Anfield.
If Liverpool succeeds in signing Zubimendi, it could pave the way for a reshuffle in their current midfield lineup, potentially allowing players like Wataru Endo to move on.
Zubimendi’s integration into the team could provide the stability and creative control needed to compete at the highest levels both domestically and in Europe.
It also is a way for Arne Slot to start imprinting his own vision and mark on Liverpool, as up until now he has been working with what he has inherited from Jurgen Klopp.
What did David Ornstein report on Martin Zubimendi?
Ornstein has outlined two obstacles Liverpool will need to overcome to secure the signing.
Firstly, the fee with Real Sociedad will need to be ironed out, as it looks like the La Liga side will not budge away from the reported release clause of €60 million (£51.7m) – a situation that has been labelled as complicated by Ornstein himself.
It is predicted that Liverpool will have to pay the release clause in full if they are to get their man.
Secondly, there is the case of convincing Zubimendi of the move and the project at Liverpool.
Arsenal and Barcelona have already expressed interest in Zubimendi; the latter were interested in the Spaniard as early as last summer.
Furthermore, Zubimendi has been with Real Sociedad since he was young, playing 187 times for them since his debut in 2019.
The club finished sixth in La Liga last season, and they’ve already seen key players like Robin Le Normand leave for Atletico Madrid. Fellow midfielder Mikel Merino is also attracting interest from Arsenal.
Therefore, it’s fair to say that the Spanish club will be stern negotiators should talks start to advance.
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.