Martin Zubimendi's reason for rejecting Liverpool in transfer U-turn after 'giving his word'

Liverpool and its fans have been left reeling after Martin Zubimendi’s decision to reject a move to Anfield this summer .

Despite the Reds pursuing the 25-year-old as their main target, and suggestions that Real Sociedad was expecting him to reach an agreement with Liverpool, Zubimendi has now decided to stay put with the Basque club .

His decision comes after Sociedad launched a charm offensive to try and convince him to stay . Despite Liverpool’s best efforts, including a reported phone call from Arne Slot , it was La Real that won the battle.

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The decision leaves Liverpool having to return to the drawing board, with it now looking increasingly likely the Reds will go without any new signings this summer. According to the Daily Mail , new sporting director Richard Hughes has been left ‘angry’ after Zubimendi gave him assurances that he would be making the move to Anfield .

In a move that Liverpool fans will no doubt be familiar with though after Steven Gerrard underwent a similar saga with Chelsea, Zubimendi’s love for his boyhood club looks to have made his mind up. According to Fabrizio Romano , he’s even now open to signing a new deal with Sociedad, with La Real’s proposal said to be ‘way lower’ than Liverpool’s contract offer.

As per The Times , Zubimendi backtracked on his decision to join Liverpool after being put under pressure by Sociedad to stay put. The Basque club made it clear that the player would have to trigger his buyout clause himself, although Liverpool was reportedly willing to meet their demands.

It isn’t the first time Zubimendi has turned down a big-money move either. The Spain international has previously rejected moves to Arsenal, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich - with Liverpool now added to the list.

Having missed out on another target this summer after Anthony Gordon and Leny Yoro, it’s now unlikely Liverpool will turn its attention to other No.6 targets. Slot will therefore begin the new season on Saturday with the same options he started the summer with.

Liverpool.com says: It’s a tale Liverpool fans will know all too well after Gerrard came close to joining Chelsea all those years ago. It’s a lot less fun though when the shoe’s on the other foot.

It’s not been a great summer to say the least for the new-look regime on the transfer front. They gave up on Yoro, only for him to join Manchester United, Zubimendi is staying put, and they’d have to pull off something big to sign Gordon now. Given the anger among Liverpool fans though, they might need that.