Liverpool are interested in Spanish and Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
The 25-year-old is believed to have a release clause of £51m and is among the midfield options being considered by United, with Arsenal being long-term admirers of his.
Zubimendi shone in the Euro 2024 final against England, replacing Rodri at half-time to help Spain win 2-1.
He has been playing for La Liga team Real Sociedad since 2011 and helped the team finish sixth last season, scoring 4 goals in 31 games.
Real Sociedad also reached the last 16 of the Champions League, but was defeated by Paris Saint-Germain.
Martin Zubimendi beats England’s Cole Palmer in Euro 2024 final
Liverpool’s interest explained
Zubimendi’s transfer will be the first big deal for Liverpool’s new sporting director Richard Hughes, who last month said July would be quiet due to the ongoing international fixtures, but August The transfer activity will reach its “climax”.
Liverpool are the only Premier League club yet to make a signing this summer, with manager Arne Slaughter looking to bring in a new number six in midfield.
Zubimendi plays for Real Sociedad
The position has been in need of reinforcement since Fabinho’s departure 12 months ago. Japan international Wataru Endo was brought in from Stuttgart for £16 million at the end of August last year as the club missed out on other targets, but the 31-year-old was only seen as a short-term solution.
Alexis Mac Allister was deployed in the number six position for much of last season, with Liverpool rejecting Marseille’s £12m bid for Endo last month.
Analysis: Why Zubimendi is popular
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:
When Rodri was forced off injured midway through the European Cup final against Spain, England fans couldn’t believe their luck. But the absence of their key figure has caused few ripples, a measure of the quality of his successor.
If anything, Spain has gotten better since Zubimendi took over.
Mikel Oyarzabal’s late goal ultimately won the game, but his Real Sociedad teammates were just as influential, quietly completing all but two of his passes and winning all five duels, And made more tackles than anyone else as Spain suffocated Gareth Southgate’s side.
Zubimendi’s confident displays on and off the ball were the highlight of his 45 minutes of play, making him one of the most popular holding midfielders in Europe.
Rodri’s presence in the Spanish squad has limited his opportunities on the international stage. But he has long been a key figure for Real Sociedad, appearing in 103 of 114 La Liga games over the past three seasons and impressing both domestically and in Europe, including last season’s Champions League.
At 25, his prime is ahead of him, and with defensive and tactical awareness to match his excellent ball control, it’s no wonder he has a long list of suitors.
When does the summer transfer window open and close?
this 2024 summer transfer window The Premier League will officially end at 11pm UK time on August 30, and the Scottish League will officially end at 11:30pm.
The Premier League has brought forward its deadline to link up with other major European leagues. The deadline was determined following discussions with leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
