Liverpool target Martin Zubimendi has pulled off a dramatic U-turn and decided to stay at Real Sociedad.
The Reds won’t be landing the midfielder despite being given assurances that he would leave the La Liga side this summer. Zubimendi, 25, decided to reverse his decision and stay with the club he has been with since he was 12 to snub the chance to join Arne Slot ’s side.
That comes after a charm offensive by Sociedad to get him to change his mind when it is understood he was keen on a move to Merseyside. Liverpool only made moves for the Spain international after they got enough indication that the player would be willing to move.
The La Liga club had no interest in entering into negotiations with the Reds to thrash out a deal though. They told the midfielder he would have to personally pay the £51m release clause in his contract to trigger any move to Liverpool and do so at the La Liga offices.
This is common practice with players in Spain. But Zubimendi decided on Monday that he wanted to stay with his club.
Liverpool boss Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes agreed the player supplemented their current crop of midfielders and was the profile they wanted for the No 6 position.
The midfielder’s agent is Inaki Ibanez, who also represents Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. Hughes will have dealt with Ibanez when he brought Iraola to manage Bournemouth last year in his previous role but he hasn’t been able to get Zubimendi over the line.
There is the belief that the player has made the decision after serious pressure from his club to stay. Sociedad were desperate not to lose another big name in this window having sold defender Robin Le Normand to Atletico Madrid this summer, while midfielder Mikel Merino is heading to Arsenal.
Zubimendi replaced Manchester City star Rodri at half-time in the Euros final last month when Spain beat England. The midfielder has previously turned down the chance to move to England last summer when Arsenal were among a number of clubs chasing his signature.
Liverpool are not expected at this stage to explore other midfield targets. Zubimendi was identified as a preferred target due to his profile.
They are happy with the players at their disposal with Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones able to play alongside Alexis Mac Allister in midfield. There is also the option of using Dominik Sobozslai or Trent Alexander-Arnold in the position.