The links to Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi are finally over: Zubmiendi is rejecting Liverpool and is open to signing a new contract to remain at his boyhood club.
Despite having been tipped to his £52 million ($66.4 million) release clause, Liverpool was always going to face an uphill battle to sign the Zubimendi. Rumors continue to swirl about how Sociedad will sell fellow midfielder Mikel Merino to Arsenal .
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes was keen on Zubimendi and had been in talks for the player but the Daily Mail now reports that the club is now unlikely to sign a defensive midfielder this window. That would be a risk, though, and so in case Liverpool does return to the market, here are four players who the Reds could pursue...
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Ederson, Atalanta
The talented 25-year-old Ederson earned his first few caps for Brazil this summer at the Copa America. He started both of Atalanta's games against Liverpool last season in the Europa League, featuring in a double pivot in his side's 3-4-1-2 formation.
The Italian outfit paid €22.9 million ($25 million) for him in 2022 and would likely be looking for more than double in any sale. Ederson profiles as an all-action midfielder with a strong defensive backbone, recording nearly four tackles and interceptions in the last year.
Alan Varela, Porto
Porto midfielder Alan Varela has a similar story to Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez . The Argentines were teammates at Boca Juniors as Fernandez secured a bargain move to Benfica in 2022 while Varela went to Porto for €8 million ($8.7 million) in 2023.
Varela made 36 starts for Porto last season - including eight in the Champions League - and started the club's opening league match this campaign. The defensive midfielder is more skilled at spraying passes from the pivot than winning the ball and has a Transfermarkt valuation of €35 million ($38.3 million). It would likely take more than that for Liverpool to secure his services.
Morten Frendrup, Genoa
Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup, 23, profiles strongly in two areas: defensive actions and passing in the final third. His 3.81 tackles per game rank in the 99th percentile of all Serie A midfielders, and he even logged five assists in the league (admittedly on just 1.6 xAG).
The Danish youth international was bought by Genoa for just €3.9 million ($4.3 million) in 2022 and has never played in the Champions League, featuring six times for Brondby in the Europa League back in 2021. Transfermarkt values him at €15 million ($16.4 million).
Manu Kone, Borussia Monchengladbach
Liverpool fans will be familiar with 23-year-old Manu Kone, having been linked to the French midfielder in 2023. Reportedly available for around €20 million ($21.9 million), Kone could be a bargain alternative to other names.
Kone profiles as much more of a ball-carrier than the other targets, completing 2.13 take-ons per game in the Bundesliga for Borussia Monchengladbach last season.
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