Liverpool exploring Martin Zubimendi deal

Liverpool are exploring a deal to sign Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad as they work to strengthen Arne Slot’s squad with a new No 6.

A move for the 25-year-old Spain international is complicated by his €60million (£51.7m; $63.4m) release clause needing to be paid in full — if the La Liga club are not willing to negotiate a fee below that figure.

Liverpool would also need to convince Zubimendi to leave, which a number of suitors from the Premier League and elsewhere have not managed to do so far. Zubimendi has previously attracted the interest of Arsenal and Barcelona, with the latter keen on the Spaniard as far back as last summer.

Zubimendi was part of Spain’s title-winning squad at the European Championship earlier this summer. He was primarily an understudy to Rodri in the No 6 position, coming in for the Manchester City man for Spain’s dead-rubber final group game against Albania and then replacing him due to injury at half-time against England in the final.

The Athletic reported on Tuesday that Liverpool were pursuing a No 6 from outside the Premier League as a priority to add to Arne Slot’s squad. In pre-season, Slot has played Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch in that role, with the latter earning praise from the head coach. “I think Ryan (Gravenberch) did really well in that position (during the 3-0 win over Manchester United in South Carolina) and we have other options as well,” Slot said on Monday.

GO DEEPER

The Transfer DealSheet: Liverpool No 6 interest and Man Utd Berge talks

Liverpool lost one midfield option earlier this summer when Thiago was allowed to depart on a free transfer. Last year, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were sold to Saudi Pro League clubs with Endo then brought in from Stuttgart in a £16m move.

Gravenberch has been used as a No 6 in pre-season by Slot (Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty Images)

Slot said Liverpool were “keeping their eyes open to see what’s available” in the transfer market on Monday, with the Merseyside club yet to make a senior summer signing.

“The bar is really high for new signings because we have so many good players,” Slot said. “It is not so easy to first find a player to meet those standards and then is he available? Then we have to find an agreement with them, so it is not always easy to find a player who can help us.

“Richard (Hughes, sporting director) is working hard on it and let’s see what comes from this. If he’s not here with us then we speak on the phone many times.”

Zubimendi is a product of the Real Sociedad academy and has played 187 times for the club since making his debut in 2019.

Real Sociedad have already seen one crucial first-team player depart this summer after a sixth-place finish in La Liga, with Spain international Robin Le Normand leaving for Atletico Madrid. Fellow La Real midfielder Mikel Merino is also of interest to Arsenal.

GO DEEPER

Liverpool target Martin Zubimendi is the Gen-Z Sergio Busquets at the heart of Real Sociedad's midfield

Why Liverpool want Zubimendi

Analysis by Liverpool correspondent Andy Jones

Slot has spent pre-season assessing his squad as best as possible with a number of players returning late due to international competitions — and it was felt the No 6 position is a position that needs strengthening.

The new head coach’s style is more possession-based than his predecessor and requires more of a technical controller as their No 6 rather than a destroyer. Zubimendi has been identified as someone who can fit that role as he has the attributes that Slot is looking for.

Zubimendi is comfortable receiving the ball under pressure, making intelligent decisions to build attacks from deep with his passing range and ball-carrying abilities. He also offers a defensive shield.

Slot used Endo, Szoboszlai and Gravenberch in the No 6 role in the three pre-season friendlies during their U.S. tour. The latter two impressed, but Endo struggled and was a substitute against Arsenal and Manchester United.

Alexis Mac Allister looks well suited to the role, while youngster Stefan Bajcetic is another option, but is still building rhythm and fitness after an injury-hit last 18 months.

GO DEEPER

Man Utd 0 Liverpool 3 - Is Carvalho playing his way into Slot's plans? Will Bradley influence Trent's role?

(Top photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images)