Liverpool are reportedly one of several clubs keeping a "close eye" on Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. The Reds came close to signing the Euro 2024 winner last summer when they were ready to activate the £51m release clause in his Sociedad contract. Zubimendi, however, turned down a move to Anfield in favour of staying with his boyhood club.

Now, Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg has claimed that Liverpool, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are monitoring the 25-year-old's situation ahead of the summer transfer window. Plettenberg adds that Zubimendi's release clause, just north of £50m, is still intact and that Sociedad are unwilling to negotiate a lower fee for the Spaniard.

Earlier this week, the Mail claimed that Zubimendi would join Arsenal at the end of the season, with Sociedad demanding the player stays at the club until the end of the La Liga campaign. Meanwhile, Relevo reports that Real Madrid have abandoned their hopes of signing Trent Alexander-Arnold this month.

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Alexander-Arnold, 26, was the subject of an approach from the Spaniards on New Year's Eve ahead of the defender entering the final six months of his contract on January 1. However, Liverpool rebuffed Madrid's approach for the full-back, who is one of three high-profile players out of contract at the end of the season.

Now, Relevo claim that Madrid have conceded there is "no chance" Alexander-Arnold will make the move to the Spanish capital in the current window. Asked about Alexander-Arnold's future earlier this month, Reds manager Arne Slot said: "He's fully committed to us and he will play on Sunday, if they [the medical staff] don't tell me he's sick, but I don't expect them to!

"I can tell you that he's playing on Sunday – and hopefully he brings the same performances as he brought in for the last half-year. I see him on the training ground every day working his arse off."