Arsenal set to target Martin Zubamendi in nightmare scenario for Liverpool and Arne Slot

Arsenal is reportedly eyeing up Martin Zubimendi in what would be a major transfer blow to Liverpool.

The Reds were of course in the hunt for the Real Sociedad midfielder during the summer, and looked to be on the verge of securing his signing at one point, only for Zubimendi to instead elect to stay put at his boyhood club.

His decision did not go down well on Merseyside, with sporting director Richard Hughes said to have been left fuming after feeling as though Zubimendi had given him his word that he would make the move to Anfield. Nevertheless, there have been rumblings in the months since that the 25-year-old may have regretted his decision, and that Liverpool might not have completely ruled out making another play for him.

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The Reds though could have competition if they decide to revisit their interest. Manchester City have been linked with a move for Zubimendi recently as they look at a potential replacement for the injured Rodri, and now Arsenal looks to have entered the fray.

According to The Independent, the Gunners are monitoring Zubimendi’s situation, and believe they can prove to be the midfielder’s most viable destination next summer. Mikel Arteta is said to want to add a No.6 to his team, despite signing Zubimendi’s former Sociedad teammate Mikel Merino in the summer.

It’s suggested that Zubimendi opted to stay on at Sociedad for at least one more year rather than cause a headache for his boyhood club by leaving for Liverpool in the summer, with the Basque club having also lost Merino and Robin Le Normand. That decision though is said to have been made on the condition that he be allowed to leave for the right offer in the future.

Arsenal is said to have a good relationship with Sociedad following the Merino deal, while Arteta’s ‘legacy’ at the Spanish club is also said to be an advantage – Arteta made just 17 appearances for Sociedad before leaving for Everton.

Despite Arsenal’s reported pull, Zubimendi has shown no signs of changing his stance on leaving his boyhood club.

"There are always rumors but until now I've always thought that the best solution for me is staying at Real Sociedad," Zubimendi said last month. "I've still a lot of things to give to this club, I still want to grow and develop here."

Liverpool.com says: It remains to be seen whether Liverpool would still be interested in Zubimendi if the opportunity was there to sign him next summer. Even with the success that Ryan Gravenberch has had in the No.6 role, the Reds could do with getting another option in there.

As long as Zubimendi didn’t completely burn his bridges with Hughes then, it would be worth revisiting – if nothing else, just to prevent the midfielder joining one of Arsenal or City, which wouldn’t be a good look for the new era at Anfield.