Martin Zubimendi
Photo by Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Liverpool’s 2024 summer transfer window was defined by one saga that left the club’s recruitment team red-faced and fans frustrated.
After pursuing Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi for months, the Spanish international’s last-minute U-turn left the Reds without their primary target and scrambling for alternatives that ultimately were not found.
The Anfield club identified Zubimendi as their priority signing to fill the defensive midfield role that had remained a concern since Fabinho’s departure a year earlier.
The new sporting director Richard Hughes was prepared to activate the player’s €60 million (£51 million) release clause, with reports indicating personal terms had been agreed upon.
The club had reached an agreement with both Real Sociedad and the player, and the transfer seemed a formality at that point.
However, in a dramatic turn of events, Zubimendi informed Liverpool via his agent that he had changed his mind and would not be making the move to Anfield despite previously signaling his willingness to join.
This late rejection left Liverpool as the only Premier League club without a summer signing at that point.
Since then, it has been relatively quiet on that front, but it has been suggested that bridges were not burned between the Euro 2024 winner and the Merseyside club.
But any chances of signing Zubimendi this summer have now suffered a big blow.
That’s because Spanish outlet COPE have reported that Real Madrid are now ‘serious’ about securing the signing of the 26-year-old.
Journalist Juanma Castaño takes to X to report:
“Real Madrid is pushing for Zubimendi and the context favors his departure. His agent is listening to offers and Florentino is making moves.”
“Real Sociedad cannot guarantee him Champions League football, while Real Madrid offers titles and elite status.”
“60M€ is not a problem and the possible arrival of Xabi Alonso reinforces his tactical fit.”
“The decision is in Zubimendi’s hands,” he adds.
Liverpool fans know all too well the feeling of losing out to Real Madrid in the transfer market, having seen the likes of Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni turn down Anfield for the Bernabeu in recent years.
For the likes of Zubimendi, who will likely priotize staying in his native Spain, it now seems a step too far for Richard Hughes and co. if Real Madrid interest is indeed as concrete as it sounds.
💥 Informa @MarcoASande
👀 El @realmadrid aprieta por Zubimendi y el contexto favorece su salida. Su agente escucha ofertas y Florentino mueve ficha
⚽️ La @RealSociedad no le garantiza la Champions y el Real Madrid le ofrece títulos y élite
📻 #PartidazoCOPE pic.twitter.com/S5GQhp820U
— El Partidazo de COPE (@partidazocope) March 25, 2025
Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone? Join our WhatsApp community by clicking here.