The latest Liverpool transfer news as Martin Zubimendi continues to be linked with the Reds and their rivals following a failed summer move
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Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad has been linked with Manchester City
Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad has been linked with Manchester City
(Image: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
As Liverpool continue to be linked with Martin Zubimendi, so too have their rivals Manchester City. However, the Reds have been handed a much-needed boost with the latest report suggesting the midfielder 'has reservations' about moving to the Etihad Stadium.
Arne Slot and his new Anfield colleagues made Zubimendi a priority target after they had laid the groundwork for their Liverpool project. What they did not foresee was the Euro 2024 winner reneging on his original position of wanting to make the switch.
He stayed at Real Sociedad and the Reds have coped just fine, sitting top of the Premier League and Champions League standings with a combination of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones making up a midfield trio with one spare.
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However, Slot's team venture deeper into a season that looks increasingly likely to produce silverware and if that is to be the Premier League title, rumours surrounding Zubimendi and requiring added squad depth have not slowed down.
Liverpool's failure to land the 25-year-old in the summer has also opened up the door for rivals to enter the picture, particularly Man City. With Rodri out injured for the season the frailties of Pep Guardiola's system have truly been exposed.
If there were any fears of losing out in this possible transfer fight, The Telegraph have said the reigning champions are actually in a weaker position than presumed.
They claim that the Spaniard is well aware of the situation over in Manchester and that he would be granted an important role right away. That said, Rodri's injury will not last forever and Zubimendi certainly has no intention of becoming understudy at club level to the man who regularly keeps him out of their national team.
This would seemingly place somebody such as Liverpool in a better position to complete the signing next summer, when the man in question is said to be waiting to decide is future. What is peculiar about this is that he was expected to sign a contract extension with boyhood club La Real when he backed out of his Anfield move, but as things stand, he is still on the same terms, leaving the door open for an eventual exit.