Liverpool are still in the market for a midfielder and have been keeping tabs on alternatives to Martin Zubimendi, with Nico Gonzalez reportedly impressing the club's scouts
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Nico Gonzalez
Nico Gonzalez of FC Porto(Image: Getty Images)
The Liverpool scouting team is reportedly massively impressed with a new midfield target as a possible alternative to Martin Zubimendi when the January transfer window opens.
Liverpool made attempts to lure Zubimendi from Real Sociedad last summer but were rebuffed, with the player choosing to stay put. Speaking recently on his decision, Zubimendi shared: "It was an uncomfortable time for me but I weighed the pros and cons and concluded that the best option was to stay.
"I don't believe in 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunities. If you're good and want to achieve something, it will come to you. There's no need to rush. I looked at my personal progression, who I am, and the club's project. I stayed because I knew this season would be important for me in the team, and I still had steps to take."
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Furthermore, he explained: "It wasn't that hard of a decision. There were many reasons for my decision, but I was selfish and thought about what was best for me – and that was staying."
Currently, Liverpool's midfield has been pivotal to their excellent run, with Ryan Gravenberch showing remarkable form, while both Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones have also been standouts. Dominik Szoboszlai played a stellar role in Sunday's emphatic 6-3 win against Tottenham, which sees Liverpool sitting comfortably at the top of the Premier League by four points, plus a game in hand, come Christmas Day.
Anfield Watch has reported that Liverpool are still eyeing potential reinforcements, with Zubimendi remaining a target. However, he's not the only midfielder on the club's radar, as FC Porto's Nico Gonzalez has also caught their attention this season.
The 22-year-old Spain international, who joined Porto last summer for £7m, is a product of Barcelona's academy and had a staggering £830m (€1billion) release clause in his contract at the Nou Camp. Barcelona have a buy-back clause for the under-21 international, active until June 2025 and worth just £24m.
Gonzalez has netted five goals and provided five assists in 24 appearances for Porto, and reports suggest Liverpool's scouts have been greatly impressed by his performances. Gonzalez, who offers more of a box-to-box option compared to Zubimendi, has a buyout clause in his Porto contract set at £49.8m (€60m), making him similarly priced to Zubimendi, despite being three years his junior.
However, Real Sociedad have made it clear that Zubimendi wishes to stay at San Sebastian beyond January, despite interest from Liverpool and Manchester City. "There is little peace of mind about clauses, but in all this time Martin himself has shown us that above clauses are intentions," said sporting director Roberto Olabe about Zubimendi.
"Until today we have already seen the behaviour that has been demonstrated, I do not anticipate that we will have any scares in January."