Martin Zubimendi is apparently ready to depart Real Sociedad just months after rejecting a big-money move to Liverpool.

Arne Slot made the Spaniard his principal target during the summer transfer window last year, having earmarked him for the holding midfield role in his Reds team.

The deal appeared to be a formality, but Zubimendi ultimately opted to stay at Sociedad. “I went on vacation, and it caught me by surprise. It wasn’t something I had planned,” he recalled of finding out about Liverpool's interest in the summer while explaining his decision last month.

“I reacted when the situation arose. It was an uncomfortable time for me, but I weighed the pros and cons and concluded that the best option was to stay.

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“I don’t believe in 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunities. If you’re good and want to achieve something, it will come to you. There’s no need to rush. I looked at my personal progression, who I am, and the club’s project. I stayed because I knew this season would be important for me in the team, and I still had steps to take. It wasn’t that hard of a decision. There were many reasons for my decision, but I was selfish and thought about what was best for me. And that was staying.”

Whether Liverpool goes back in for Zubimendi remains to be seen, considering just how well Ryan Gravenberch has acquitted himself in the role that had been reserved for the Real Sociedad star. Gravenberch has started in all of Liverpool's games in the Premier League and Champions League so far this season.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague is the journalist who is reporting that Zubimendi is ready to U-turn on his decision to remain with his boyhood club.

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He told the BBC: "He turned down Liverpool and was a star of the moment of the season when he replaced Rodri at half-time for Spain in the Euro final. England exploded with happiness when Rodri went off but he is perhaps, after Rodri, the best holding midfielder in the world.

"I was told everything was done with Liverpool but he decided personally not to leave. 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. Barca would like him but don't have the money and he is ready to leave now.

"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?"