Liverpool remains keen to bring Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi to the club this summer but his Real Sociedad boss has given him four 'reasons' to snub a transfer and remain in the Basque Country for at least one more season.
It was revealed on Wednesday that the 25-year-old defensive midfielder had emerged as a serious target for Arne Slot this summer as the Dutchman aims to fulfill the No.6 role in his new side. The former Feyenoord boss is yet to make a signing since arriving at Anfield but Zubimendi is strongly tipped to become his first.
The Spaniard has become one of the leading talents in his position across Europe in recent years, becoming an integral part of La Real's side over the last four season's and cementing his place in Spain's Euro 2024 squad this summer - where he became a European champion.
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Last season, he grabbed four goals and one assist in 31 La Liga appearances to help his side finish sixth and now boss Imanol Alguacil is keen to retain his services ahead of the upcoming campaign, along with another reported Liverpool target in Japanese winger Takefusa Kubo .
And in a last-ditch attempt to keep Zubimendi at the club this season, Spanish sources claim that Alguacil and the rest of Sociedad's hierarchy are looking to reiterate to the midfielder how good his life is in San Sebastian, according to the Daily Mail .
Born in the area, Zubimendi has been at his boyhood club since the age of 12 and is understood to have a good nucleus of friends in the northern Spanish city, while he also enjoys walking in the Monte Urgull mountain region that overlooks the Basque region.
Furthermore, it's believed Imanol will also point to the fan reaction if he was to leave the Anoeta Stadium club, and hopes to use the fear of tarnishing his reputation and upsetting the majority of the fan base if he leaves as another reason to stay.
The report also adds how Alguacil is leading the drive to persuade Zubimendi to stay put and has already held several meetings with the midfielder this week to tempt him away from Liverpool. La Real executives are also said to have told the player that his best option might be to stay in Spain for at least one more season.
Earlier this summer, in fact, Zubimendi told Spanish outlet El Diario Vasco that he will be playing at Real Sociedad next season because that's where he has a contract and feels "most comfortable."
However, now that Liverpool's strong interest has been revealed, multiple sources close to the club now believe that Zubimendi is more than likely to favor a move to Anfield this summer and that once he gives the green light, it will not take long for a deal to be wrapped up.
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