Liverpool could resurrect a transfer move for Martin Zubimendi in the January window. First reported in the Spanish press, a second outlet has now suggested that interest remains .
Zubimendi infamously rejected the chance to move to Liverpool this summer , turning down a transfer to Anfield despite sporting director Richard Hughes believing he had the player's word. Between them, he and Arne Slot decided against pursuing an alternative in the holding midfield role.
That's because they didn't believe there was anybody else on the market who could offer a clear improvement on the existing options within the Liverpool squad. In hindsight, perhaps that was a compliment to Ryan Gravenberch as much as anything else.
Gravenberch was almost an afterthought among the midfield options before pre-season got underway. He did not enjoy an especially prominent role under Jurgen Klopp , and when he did feature, it was in a more advanced position.
But he has enjoyed an excellent start to life under Slot, playing as part of a double pivot with Alexis Mac Allister . He absolutely dominated Manchester United at Old Trafford , making a mockery of all the other former Ajax players Erik ten Hag has brought to the club.
Should he continue to impress, perhaps Liverpool's stance in January will be different. But Football Espana claimed yesterday that the Reds could come back for Zubimendi — seemingly basing its story on a claim from Football Insider that the search for a holding midfielder would resume in the winter.
That didn't necessarily hold a great deal of water. But speaking on the Debrief , Fabrizio Romano has now provided a more concrete update.
While admitting he had "no idea" whether or not Liverpool will revive a move, Romano confirmed that Zubimendi had been identified as the "perfect" player in the position. He claimed that the 25-year-old will still be on a list at Anfield, confirming that the appreciation from the club is still there.
Curiously, Zubimendi is yet to sign a new Real Sociedad contract, something that was considered to be a formality after he eventually snubbed Liverpool interest. That situation could yet resolve itself in the coming days, but it would be a surprise if the Reds weren't at least keeping a close eye on proceedings.
Liverpool.com says: It's still not exactly an earth-shattering update, in the sense that we knew Liverpool had put all its eggs in the Zubimendi basket. Even so, it's a valid point for Romano to make: it's only common sense that Anfield officials will continue to check in on his availability.
Real Sociedad has endured a testing start to its campaign, and perhaps Zubimendi will finally decide in January that the time is ripe to jump ship. Liverpool would not let its pride get in the way of a fresh approach.
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