Liverpool's transfer window looks set to finally burst into life. Various outlets have claimed that Martin Zubimendi will be pursued .
Having assessed the squad, Arne Slot wants to make an elite number six the first major signing of his spell in charge at Anfield , and he and the recruitment team have identified Zubimendi. Selling Tyler Morton could finance more than a third of the deal, while the future of Wataru Endo will also be under scrutiny if the Spaniard arrives.
That's because Zubimendi is a specialist holding midfielder — but one who looks particularly suited to how Liverpool wants to play under Slot. The 25-year-old pass master has the seal of approval from none other than Xabi Alonso , with whom he worked for a spell at Real Sociedad B.
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“Martin’s a player all coaches would want," Alonso said of Zubimendi in 2022, via the Guardian . "He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself.
"He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions; to improve the move. He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him. He has that ability to organize the axis. I loved working with him.”
Zubimendi has spent his entire career to date at Real Sociedad, where Alonso coached the B team before moving on to Bayer Leverkusen. He has made 187 appearances for the senior side.
Born in the Basque Country, he joined the youth system in 2011 from regional side Antiguoko. Alonso and Mikel Arteta both previously graduated from the same amateur team.
Zubimendi has become a key player, making at least 31 appearances for Real Sociedad in each of the last four La Liga campaigns. While primarily known for his defensive work and progressive build-up in the early phases of attacks, he did contribute four league goals last season, more than half of his overall tally of seven.
He has also become a full Spain international. Capped 10 times, the most recent came in the Euro 2024 final, where he replaced the injured Rodri at half time to great effect.
Alonso is not the only one to have praised Zubimendi in the past. Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney, who spent time on loan at Real Sociedad, praised the midfielder as world-class:
"You have world-class players like [Martín] Zubimendi, [Mikel] Merino, Brais [Méndez]. It’s not that people don’t think they’re good; it’s just that if you’re only watching the Premier League every week, it’s hard to know," Tierney told the Guardian earlier this year. "They’re world class, and for so many to come from the academy is incredible."
Liverpool.com says: Zubimendi would be a hugely exciting addition. In truth, he's been one of the stand-out young names in this position for a while, which is why Barcelona has targeted him in the past.
The question is whether Liverpool can convince him to leave his beloved Real Sociedad. But if it can, it will be pulling off a major coup.
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