Martin Zubimendi during a press conference
Arsenal are looking to wrap up a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi
(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
While Liverpool remain in talks with Bayer Leverkusen over what would be a club-record deal to bring Florian Wirtz to Anfield, it is perhaps understandable why some supporters have itchy feet. After all, in the last two summers alone, the Reds have agreed high-profile deals only to miss out on their desired target.
Liverpool agreed a club-record £111m deal with Brighton & Hove Albion for Moises Caicedo in the summer of 2023 as he initially appeared open to the move to Merseyside.
However, he did not turn up for a medical and it became clear he instead had his heart set on joining Chelsea.
READ MORE: Rayan Cherki drops transfer hint after Liverpool meeting - 'I've been spat on a lot internally'READ MORE: Luis Diaz makes major Liverpool transfer admission after approach rejected - 'We're talking to clubs'
Meanwhile, the Reds were close to signing Martin Zubimendi last summer after agreeing to pay his £51.7m release clause. However, the Spaniard ultimately U-turned on the switch at the 11th hour following last-gasp talks with Real Sociedad bosses.
Liverpool’s interest in Zubimendi has since ended, with Ryan Gravenberch making the Reds’ number six position his own under Arne Slot.
With the Dutchman leading his side to the Premier League title in his first season in charge, everything worked out for the best on the Red half of Merseyside. Zubimendi's U-turn ultimately proved to be a blessing in disguise.
But while Liverpool might no longer be in the market for Zubimendi, in recent months it had appeared that he would make a belated move to the Premier League.
Arsenal have reportedly agreed to pay the Spaniard’s release clause, with the Gunners working on a deal to sign the midfielder for a number of months.
However, could Zubimendi leave a Premier League outfit disappointed for the second summer running?
Earlier this week he cooled talk of joining Arsenal, insisting he does not know how the summer will end.
"Of course there are options," Zubimendi told Radio Nacional from the Spain national team's camp when asked if he might end up staying at Real Sociedad. “But it's true that it looks like it's going to be a different, long summer, and I don't know how it's going to end.
"Right now, thinking about it isn't my priority. I'm here with the national team, which is already quite demanding, and if I have to say something, then I will."
Zubimendi has also recently found himself linked with a move to Real Madrid, who are now managed by his idol and former youth manager Xabi Alonso. But he has sidestepped talk of reuniting with his compatriot at the Bernabeu.
"I've always said that he was my idol and that for me it was a stroke of luck that he was able to coach me in the reserve team in a very important year," Zubimendi said.
"[But] I don't like to talk about those hypotheses, I like to talk about the present. I think it would be disrespectful to answer a question [about a Madrid move] while I'm in the national team, and facing such an important competition."
Zubimendi previously debunked claims that he was in England to undergo his Arsenal medical as he posted pictures on his Instagram account showing him at a beach in San Sebastian last week. The Spaniard was amused as he looked to ‘emphasise the reality’.
"It's an example of what surrounds the world of football,” he said. “Sometimes I wake up and read things I didn't know I'd done, and that was an example.
"It's true that I don't take it too seriously, but with those photos I wanted to emphasise that that wasn't the reality of what was happening."
While Zubimendi’s future remains unclear for now, Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay wants the Spaniard to stay put. At the very least, he recently confirmed his future will not be resolved imminently.
"Zubimendi is the only player we've spoken to. Clubs have asked us, but no player has told us they want to leave,” he said at the end of May. “We've told Martin to go to the national team calmly, to think about it, and we'd like him to stay.
“We know there are several options. Something may come to fruition or not... I don't see it happening in the short term. We don't see it that way, so we have to wait and see."
Arsenal will hope they can succeed where Liverpool fell short, but the La Liga outfit evidently have not given up hope of retaining the midfielder’s services once again.
As the Reds continue to negotiate with Leverkusen for Wirtz, they will perhaps be grateful they are at least not again involved in a Zubimendi transfer saga.
That ship has long since sailed, with Arsenal's ongoing frustrations thankfully only a reminder of the rollercoaster Liverpool previously had to endure before turning their attention elsewhere.
While Gravenberch emerged as an internal solution at Anfield, only time will tell if the Gunners are forced to return to the drawing board themselves.
Jorginho will leave the club at the end of his contract this summer, while Thomas Partey's future remains uncertain ahead of his own deal expiring as negotiations continue. Consequently, Mikel Arteta will need to strengthen his midfield regardless.
Zubimendi might not have weakened Liverpool's Premier League title challenge this season, but Arsenal's own headache is ongoing as the Spaniard continues to weigh up his future.
While impatient Reds supporters might have itchy feet regarding negotiations for Wirtz, after being burned by Zubimendi last year, they will be forgiven for thinking 'rather you than us' as their title-rivals wait for a conclusion to their own transfer pursuit.