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Arne Slot has already made stance on Martin Zubimendi transfer clear after Liverpool summer chase

Martin Zubimendi in action for Real Sociedad.
-Credit: (Image: Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)


Liverpool tried and failed to get Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in the summer. And in the absence of the Spaniard, Ryan Gravenberch has stepped up and then some.

But as with any transfer saga, the rumors simply refuse to end. TeamTalk has claimed that Liverpool remains in for Zubimendi and with Rodri set to be out for the season, it didn't take long for some to fear the worst and that he could end up at Manchester City. With Rodri out, Pep Guardiola could probably do with another holding midfielder coming in to replace him and Zubimendi would, stylistically, be an obvious fit.

The Real Sociedad ace, of course, rejected the chance to sign for Liverpool during the summer in favor of staying with his boyhood club. But there is no real suggestion that he regrets that decision or has made a U-turn on his position.

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"He understood the moment and knew that it was a market in which some players were already going to leave, and he understood that it was time to stay at Real Sociedad," La Real president Jokin Aperribay said around a week ago when discussing Zubimendi's decision. "He has not made it a condition for us to renew nor have we talked about it. The conversation with Martin was short and quick."

If Zubimendi doesn't want to leave Real Sociedad and has already turned down a concrete move from Liverpool in addition to more tentative interest from the likes of Barcelona and Arsenal, a move to Manchester City can surely be ruled out even if it might make sense in a purely footballing sense. He did a good job of replacing Rodri in the European Championship final against England, for instance, but has never shown a willingness yet to leave La Real.

Martin Zubimendi turned down a move to Liverpool during the summer
Martin Zubimendi turned down a move to Liverpool during the summer -Credit:Getty Images

Rumors emerged via the Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo last week that Liverpool could go back in for Zubimendi in the next window and Arne Slot was asked about Zubimendi in a press conference.

"If I could have bought him then maybe I could have rotated a bit more and you guys [the media] would be a lot more happy about it!" he said. "But there is no point talking about Zubimendi anymore because he stayed with Real Sociedad and we've moved on and we are really happy with Ryan [Gravenberch]."

Liverpool.com says: Zubimendi has shown reluctance before when it comes to leaving his current team and that has to be a red flag. You need to be as close to 100 per cent sure as possible that he will settle in the side and a U-turn just a few games into the new campaign seems unlikely.