Liverpool wanted Martin Zubimendi in the summer but the Real Sociedad midfielder was unwilling to leave his boyhood club after a few days of deliberation. A few months on, though, he appears to have changed his mind.

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal is closing in on a deal that would see Zubimendi move to North London at the end of the season. Mikel Arteta's side has supposedly taken the lead in the race that at one point included the Reds and Manchester City.

In Spain, however, the reporting on the situation suggests that Zubimendi still has a decision to make. And Liverpool, having been close to signing the 25-year-old in the summer, knows very well that it isn't done until it's done.

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The Spanish outlet AS claims Zubimendi is "tired of so many rumors and gossip... because at the moment there is nothing". Further to that, the player is said to be "absolutely focused on Real Sociedad and totally committed to his project, of which he feels he is a very important part".

While Zubimendi might be focused on the rest of the season with La Real, that does not rule out a move in the summer. Because of his relatively modest $62m (£51m/€60m) release clause, there will be teams interested if he decides to move, with Arsenal seemingly leading the way. When and where he goes will be down to the player.

Liverpool.com says: It would be a risk for any club to go for Zubimendi just a few months after he was unconvinced about leaving Real Sociedad. If he does now make an exit and come to the Premier League, what if he isn't 100 per cent convinced that it is the right decision for him? If he wasn't keen in the summer, not much can have changed since.