The elite clubs linked with Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi have been given hope by recent claims that the Spaniard is “ready” to leave his childhood club.
Zubimendi has been on the radar of Europe's top teams since establishing himself as a first-team regular in the Basque Country at the start of the decade. Barcelona have been long-term admirers of the cerebral midfielder, but the Catalans' financial constraints ensure they have quite a few registration problems players they own, let alone find room in the budget for new recruits.
A trio of Premier League clubs – Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City – have been most closely related with Zubimendi in the last windows. The Merseyside outfit came very close to signing the 25-year-old last summer, triggering his €60m buyout clause. despised by death by the player himself.
Real Madrid have now entered the raceidentifying the wily midfielder as the long-term successor to Toni Kroos.
Zubimendi may not have been ready to leave La Real last summer – citing the need to develop more as a player before embarking on a new challenge – but now he is not only open, but eager for a transfer, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.
The journalist told him BBC that Zubimendi “is ready to go”. WHEREAS town were named as an obvious suitor – Zubimendi is perhaps the most natural replacement for Rodri on the planet, even coming in for his compatriot during the Euro 2024 final – Liverpool's interest may have cooled.
Arne Slot has retooled Ryan Gravenberch into a complete midfielder this season, prompting Balague to speculate: “I don't think Liverpool will return”.
Zubimendi offers a youthful replacement for ArsenalThomas Partey – who is out of contract in the summer – and Manchester United were even raised as a possible destination.
The player may be ready, but his club are adamant that no deal will be struck in January. Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe predicted with confidence that the club will have “no fear” in the winter transfer window regarding their prized midfielder. Whether Zubimendi will stay at San Sebastian beyond the summer is another matter entirely.