Martin Zubimendi 'performs transfer U-turn' and now 'ready to go' months after rejecting Liverpool
After ultimately turning down a transfer move to Liverpool in the summer in favor of staying with his boyhood side, Spain star Martin Zubimendi has supposedly now decided to leave Real Sociedad — with a string of clubs said to be chasing him.
Spanish soccer expert Guillem Balague has told the BBC that Zubimendi is now ready to leave La Real. However, he doesn't believe that Liverpool will be an option for the player during the winter transfer window or beyond.
"I was told everything was done with Liverpool but he decided personally not to leave," Balague said. "Now three months into the season, he is ready to go. When Manchester City want a replacement for Rodri, that is the guy to look for. Barcelona would like him but don't have the money, and he is ready to leave now.
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"He is not the strongest or fastest but he reads the game so well and leads the team. He understands the role perfectly. I don't think Liverpool will go back, although Zubimendi is a different level to Ryan Gravenberch. I know Man City like him a lot. And teams with 60m euros? He can only go to the Premier League. Chelsea don't need him. Manchester United maybe?"
Manchester City has long felt like an obvious destination but as soon as Rodri returns from injury, Zubimendi would be relegated to being second choice, just as he is at international level for his country. At Liverpool, as good as Gravenberch has been, having two players to rotate in the same role can only be beneficial — just look at Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo.
If Zubimendi really does now feel open to leaving La Real, joining Liverpool would still seem like his best option. Even getting over the Rodri hurdle at Manchester City, Pep Guardiola's men are facing a battle to make the Champions League spots and still have the 115+ charges hanging over them.
Real Madrid has also been linked with a move for Zubimendi but appears to be focused on Trent Alexander-Arnold for the time being. With the likes of Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga already on its books, it isn't exactly struggling for midfield players either. Liverpool is still the obvious pick for Zubimendi if he ends up being on the move this month or in the summer.
