Liverpool is waiting to find out whether or not Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi will make the switch from San Sebastian to Merseyside this summer .
Reports emerged this week the Reds are keen on making Zubimendi their first signing of the Arne Slot era , in a move that would bolster Liverpool's engine room. The club have been on the hunt for a number six for over a year now, and look to have finally found their man.
Zubimendi will cost the Reds $63.4m (£51.7m/€60m) if they want to bring him to Anfield . While it had been expected Real Sociedad would not stand in Zubimendi's way, the prospective deal appears to have hit a slight snag, with the Spain international weighing up whether he wants to leave the club he has spent his entire professional career with.
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There are also reports now circulating that Sociedad officials are now attempting to convince the 25-year-old, who is said to be open to the move, to stay in San Sebastian. And all you would have to do is watch Zubimendi's performance during the European Championship final against England to see just why both teams want the midfielder at their club for the coming season.
At half-time in Berlin, Spain took the decision to take off Manchester City's Rodri, the best holding midfielder in the world. At the time, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand described the substitution as a "psychological blow" to Spain, suggesting there would be a significant drop off with Zubimendi taking Rodri's place.
However, what actually happened was Spain looked in even more control, with Zubimendi playing a starring role. Spain scored immediately after half-time through Nico Williams before Cole Palmer equalised from range for England with just under 20 minutes to play.
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But on 86 minutes, it was Zubimendi's Real Sociedad team-mate Mikel Oyarzabal who fired home past Jordan Pickford to win the European Championships for Spain.
And the "psychological blow" comment certainly came back to bite Ferdinand, who could only praise Zubimendi for the job he did in replacing Rodri at half-time. Speaking on the BBC following England's defeat, Ferdinand said: "Rodri comes off at half-time and we're all sitting here celebrating – what an unbelievable moment for English football.
"Zubimendi comes on and replaces him and it's seamless. It tells you the confidence that the manager instils in his players, the quality they have, the depth. It's not all about superstar names, they have players who can play pivotal roles."
Liverpool.com says: "It looks increasingly likely Martin Zubimendi will be Liverpool's first signing of the Arne Slot era. However, with Real Sociedad embarking on a charm offensive to try and keep the Spain international in San Sebastian, that could complicate issues for Liverpool.
"If Zubimendi does opt to stay, which is not out of the question given he has reportedly turned down Arsenal and Barcelona in recent years, then Liverpool will have to act swiftly and decisively to find their long-term no.6."
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