Liverpool confident in £51m swoop for long-term Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi

Liverpool are confident of securing a deal to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

Zubimendi, who has a release clause of £51million, was in the Spain squad that won Euro 2024 and has been identified by new Liverpool boss Arne Slot as a primary transfer target.

Slot wants to bolster his midfield and believes Zubimendi can help Liverpool control matches.

Zubimendi came on for Spain for the injured Rodri at half-time against England in the Euro 2024 Final and was instrumental in their 2-1 win.

Arsenal have previously had interest in Zubimendi but the Gunners are instead pursuing a move for his Sociedad team-mate Mikel Merino. Manchester United have also been linked.

It has been reported that Liverpool now hope Zubimendi will push for a move to Anfield.

Zubimendi could become the first new signing of the Slot era at Liverpool, who have identified a new No6 as a key transfer priority.

Liverpool lost midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho last summer, while Thiago Alcantara retired in July.

A move for Zubimendi raises doubts over the future of Wataru Endo, who joined Liverpool last summer after they missed out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea.

Zubimendi came through Real Sociedad academy and has made 187 appearances for the club since his debut in 2019.