The Athletic dropped their Transfer Radar 2025 preview of next summer’s transfer window from their stable of reporters, including David Ornstein, and there’s some interesting information in there.
There are three main links to Liverpool FC in the article:
David Ornstein claims that Liverpool are still interested in Martin Zubimendi. There have been murmurings of that, and the reporter has revealed more about the player turning down the move in the summer. The primary reason behind the move's collapse was its rushed nature. The player did not want to leave his boyhood club in the lurch, especially as Mikel Merino neared the exit door himself. Zubimendi is now expected to depart in the summer of 2025, and Sociedad can now plan for his departure.
Liverpool is mentioned as a potential landing spot for midfielder Xavi Simons if he departs Paris Saint-Germain. Simons is once again on loan to RB Leipzig this season.
The Reds are mentioned as a long-time admirer of Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.
Let’s focus on Zubimendi since that’s the most concrete link. Since Liverpool’s failed transfer attempt, Zubimendi has taken a leap in performance, perhaps due to losing his midfield partner Merino.
This season, Zubimendi is:
attempting more passes and completing more at roughly the same completion rate (1% lower). He’s completing more key passes per 90 minutes (passes that directly lead to a shot), with more passes into the final third, more passes into the penalty area and more progressive passes (forward passes of at least 10 yards)
doing more off the ball, winning more tackles at a significantly higher success rate. He’s blocking more, clearing more and, interestingly, winning more tackles in the attacking third. It’s a pretty big jump, as Zubimendi averaged just under one tackle in the final third every ten games. It’s currently just shy of one every two games. He is even winning around 10 per cent more of his aerial duels (70 per cent).
averaging 10 more touches per 90 minutes. He’s up to 70 this season - it sat at exactly 60 for three seasons straight. Zubimendi is carrying the ball forward more and attempting twice as many take-ons at a better success rate.
If Liverpool were so interested in Zubimendi that they weren’t willing to consider alternatives, it’s hard to see how they wouldn’t want him now that he’s even better. If they end up signing him, it’s hard to argue that it could have worked out better. The collapse of the transfer led directly to Ryan Gravenberch’s breakout season and Zubimendi himself elevating his performance levels.