Liverpool and Man City suffer Zubimendi blow ahead of January transfer window

Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe is confident they will retain Martin Zubimendi next month as he claimed he "doesn't foresee any scares in January."

The Spanish midfielder has attracted attention from around Europe as he continues to shine for the La Liga outfit. He was part of the side that claimed Euro 2024 back in the summer, coming on for the injured Rodri in the final and putting in an assured performance.

Liverpool were heavily linked with his services but eventually missed out as Sociedad remained determined to keep their player. Now it appears as if Manchester City could join the party as they desperately seek new faces to reignite their faltering campaign.

With Rodri out for almost the entire year Zubimendi is seen as an ideal replacement at the base of midfield, but leading lights in San Sebastian are confident their player will stay put despite the clauses in his contract.

Olabe told Estadio Deportivo: "There’s little peace of mind about the clauses, but throughout this time Martín himself has shown us that above the clauses are the will. So far, we have seen how he has behaved, I don’t foresee any scares in January,” he said.

Zubimendi himself is aware of the interest in him with Arsenal also being credited with tracking the 25-year-old. He has Champions League experience, furthering adding to his appeal, but insists he will deal with any speculation involving him come the New Year.

“There will always be rumours and now that January is approaching, there will be too, but I don’t waste energy on outside noise. I’m happy with the way I’m handling it and I’m going to handle it,” he said.

Back in the summer Zubimendi sat down with Sociedad boss Imanol Alguacil - whose timely reminders about life in Spain helped inspire his Liverpool rejection. The La Liga outfit were incredible keen to keep their academy star and discussed the changes he would experience away from football if he left for Merseyside.

The 25-year-old and Alguacil had multiple meetings during which the manager leant on emotion. He discussed the quality of life he currently experiences in San Sebastian. Zubimendi is a keen hiker and was reminder about his ideal life in the shadows of the Ulia Mountain range and how he would miss Basque cuisine on which he's been raised.