Martin Zubimendi ’s future at Real Sociedad has been under the microscope for the past couple of summers and the Liverpool target has not been afraid to face the rumors.
Liverpool’s attempts to sign Zubimendi have so far ended in defeat after the Spanish midfielder rejected a move to Anfield to remain at his boyhood club. But the Reds are not yet deterred and can be given hope but the comments of Real Sociedad’s manager and the 25-year-old himself.
Despite Zubimendi’s happiness and Sociedad’s determination to keep hold of their star, manager Imanol Alguacil refused to rule out the possibility of Zubimendi eventually leaving the club as the deadline nears. "This happens every year. (It happens) to everyone, to all the managers and sporting directors, every summer there’s movement... (Mikel) Merino and (Robin) Le Normand? There are no two players like them. And I won’t even tell you (about) if Zubimendi leaves or not last minute," he said.
"They are all unreal players... due to the things that they’ve done with us, Le Normand has left, Arsenal want Merino and Liverpool was willing to pay Zubimendi’s clause. But we can’t find excuses every time there’s no Merino and Le Normand."
Zubimendi has been facing questions regarding his future for almost two years as the 25-year-old’s stock soared at Txuri-Urdin. In October 2022, Zubimendi spoke about reported interest from Xavi and Barcelona to Carrusel Deportivo.
He said: “There’s very good feeling between me and Real Sociedad. My contract extension is a matter of time. Xavi wants me? I don’t even think about it now, I’m focused on Real Sociedad.”
At the end of the season, Zubimendi was again rumored to be departing the Reale Arena having played 36 times as Sociedad finished fourth to qualify for the Champions League group stage. He again rubbished reports of him leaving, as he told Marca in May 2023: “I have never planned to leave Real Sociedad, I’ve always said that.
“I have never even considered leaving. I love life here, at home, I’m so happy here. The values of this club are the same as mine so I feel very good here. I’ve always said that I’m happy. I will keep saying it but it seems they (the media) don’t pay attention to me.”
The reports around Zubimendi’s future appeared again in April this year, before the season had even finished and almost two months before the transfer window opened. He was quoted by BarcaTimes, an X account that reports on Barcelona, to have again insisted he’s happy in his home... but left the door open to a move.
“I'm happy at Real Sociedad, it's like my home, but I can't say that I will play my whole career at Real Sociedad, I don't worry about rumors,” he is quoted as saying.
Sociedad finished 6th to qualify for the Europa League with the midfielder joining up with the Spain national team for Euro 2024. Having played second fiddle to Manchester City’s Rodri, Zubimendi was brought on as a half-time substitute for the City midfielder and seamlessly filled his void as Spain went on to win the game and the tournament.
During the competition, he was asked what it would take for him to leave San Sebastian, he’s quoted as replying by Ok Diario : “I feel very loved (at Real Sociedad). The people I love and, for the moment, I see it far off. I know how this football, markets and journalism thing goes. I have to assimilate it and that’s it.
"At first I did get a little angry with you (journalists), but I’m starting to understand you and you’re very nice. I think San Sebastian gives you the opportunity to lead a quiet life. It is a quiet city where they respect the players a lot. It’s true that they see you, they encourage you, but beyond that it never becomes annoying."
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