Fabrizio Romano Confirms Liverpool’s Ongoing Interest In Martin Zubimendi
Liverpool’s summer transfer window may have closed with certain gaps left unaddressed, but one player remains on the club’s radar. According to the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano, Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi continues to be a “player of interest” for the Reds, despite a failed attempt to secure his services during the summer.
Liverpool’s Mixed Start to the Season
The Reds have experienced an interesting start to the Premier League season. After a slight stumble against Nottingham Forest, Liverpool bounced back with successive victories in both the Champions League and Premier League, including an important win against Bournemouth. These results have put them in a strong position, especially with Arsenal and Manchester City drawing in an entertaining match at the Etihad, allowing Liverpool to maintain their place in second.
Though their performances on the pitch have largely been solid, some supporters and pundits are still concerned about the lack of summer reinforcements, particularly in defence and midfield. A defensive-minded midfielder, in particular, was seen as a priority, and one name that consistently came up was Martin Zubimendi.
Martin Zubimendi: The One Who Got Away
During the summer, Liverpool were linked heavily with Martin Zubimendi, Real Sociedad’s talented midfielder, who has impressed in La Liga with his intelligent play and defensive prowess. Many believed Zubimendi would be a perfect fit for Liverpool, with his skills providing balance in midfield and helping to shield the backline.
Despite the club’s willingness to meet Zubimendi’s €60 million release clause, they were ultimately unsuccessful in convincing him to leave his boyhood club. As Romano noted, loyalty played a significant role in Zubimendi’s decision to remain at Real Sociedad. The Spaniard has spent 14 years with the club and has deep ties to San Sebastián, which made him reluctant to move away from home, despite lucrative offers from other major clubs such as Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, acknowledged the situation and expressed his respect for Zubimendi’s choice. Slot’s comments before the Bournemouth match reflected his thoughts on the failed transfer attempt:
“If I could have bought him then maybe I could have rotated a bit more… but there is no point talking about Zubimendi any more because he stayed with Real Sociedad and we’ve moved on.”
Why Zubimendi Remains of Interest
Although the summer pursuit of Zubimendi ended in disappointment, Romano suggests that Liverpool’s interest in the midfielder hasn’t entirely faded. On his YouTube channel, the Italian transfer expert shared insights into the ongoing admiration Liverpool’s board and manager still hold for the player.
Romano explained, “Liverpool didn’t sign another midfielder this past summer because they only add players when they see top level, top potential, and top value. The case of Zubimendi is very clear; they tried every way, also including Stefan Bajcetic on loan in the conversations and prepared to pay the release clause… but the player wanted to stay at Sociedad.”
This measured approach reflects Liverpool’s strategy in the transfer market, where they prioritise high-calibre players who can make an immediate impact. Romano further elaborated, “Zubimendi remains a player of interest for Liverpool – the board, the directors, also the head coach Arne Slot who approved Zubimendi as a target.”
However, the situation remains unchanged for now. Despite fresh reports from Spain suggesting otherwise, Romano confirmed that “nothing is new, nothing is fresh, nothing has changed.” Liverpool, for the moment, must accept that Zubimendi is committed to Real Sociedad.
Looking Ahead: A Potential Future Transfer?
While nothing is likely to happen in the immediate future, it’s clear that Liverpool will continue to monitor Zubimendi’s situation. The midfielder’s loyalty to Real Sociedad is unquestionable, but football is a game of constant change. As Romano hinted, “interest remains,” and the possibility of another approach next summer cannot be ruled out.
Local sources in San Sebastián also emphasised Zubimendi’s dedication to his club. Mikel Recalde, a well-connected journalist from the newspaper Noticias de Gipuzkoa, refuted the claims of a potential exit, stating to DaveOCKOP:
“Just because the team started badly isn’t going to change anything, since it’s the club of his life, his loves, his feelings. Next summer we’ll see, but nothing has changed. Zubimendi isn’t going to regret staying at home. It’s nonsense and inventions.”
For Liverpool, the allure of a talented, defensively astute midfielder like Zubimendi remains strong, but they may have to wait until the next transfer window to make another move. Until then, the Reds will need to make do with their current options, which include the exciting Ryan Gravenberch, who has already started to integrate well into the team.
In conclusion, while Martin Zubimendi may have slipped through Liverpool’s fingers this summer, the club’s interest in the player persists. With Fabrizio Romano’s latest confirmation, it’s clear that Zubimendi remains on Liverpool’s radar, and fans can expect the saga to potentially reignite next summer. Until then, Liverpool will focus on their current squad, knowing that a future move for the Spanish midfielder remains a distinct possibility.
