Zubimendi 'regretting Liverpool transfer rejection' and hopes for January move

Martin Zubimendi is understood to be regretting his decision to reject a move to Liverpool and is now hoping for a January transfer.

Zubimendi looked set to join the Reds in a £51.3million deal from Real Sociedad in the summer window. New boss Arne Slot had been hoping to make the Euro 2024 winner a linchpin of his midfield in the No.6 role.

Instead though, the Spaniard pulled the plug on the deal at the last second and has instead remained in San Sebastian. He has since played in every game for Sociedad this season, starting all but one.

But it has been a more difficult campaign than expected, with La Real winning just once to leave them 16th in the La Liga table. And it appears that tough start may be swinging Zubimendi back towards an exit.

According to Estadio Deportivo, Zubimendi has asked Liverpool to go back into the market for him. Questions over Sociedad's sporting direction is one of the reasons why the midfielder appears to have backtracked.

The ball is now in Liverpool's court and it remains to be seen if they do go back for him in January. It would require another £51.3m bid, with his contract at Sociedad having another three years to run.

But the 25-year-old is planning on being a Liverpool player in the January window. It marks a major U-turn from the Spain international, who as recently as a fortnight ago insisted he was happy with the decision he had made.

“No, no, my friends are clear that whatever I decide [for my future] will be the best. There is no pressure whatsoever. Real Sociedad for me is my life, I think I have spent half my life there. A lot of what I am is part of la Real, it is my life," he told Marca.

"[Our goal to qualify for] Europe is clear. The higher the position, the better. We have to look for our best version and, above all, compete. To feel competitive, to be recognised and to be seen with personality."

When Zubimendi made his decision to reject a move to Anfield, Liverpool boss Slot downplayed its importance. Instead he insisted that the squad was already strong enough for the season ahead.

"I said many times already that I think our squad is really strong and it is not so easy to find players that can help us or can even strengthen the squad. Zubimendi was one of them, to be fair, but he decided not to come and then we go forward with the ones we have," he said.

"Those ones have done really well in pre-season. So, we’re in a good place and like I said many times before. Unfortunately Zubimendi decided not to come, if a player doesn’t want to come it’s obvious that he is not coming."