Martin Zubimendi startling new Liverpool transfer claim emerges as Ryan Gravenberch prediction made

Steve McManaman has made a new transfer claim about Martin Zubimendi - suggesting that the Spain international had even been pictured in a Liverpool kit before making an 11th hour decision to stay put at Real Sociedad. The midfielder had been set to become Arne Slot’s first signing at Anfield last summer.

The Reds had agreed to pay Zubimendi's £52m release clause. However, he was persuaded to stay put in San Sebastian following a late charm offensive from his club.

Liverpool would opt against switching attention to an alternative transfer target, with Ryan Gravenberch instead thriving as the Reds’ holding midfielder this season under Slot.

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And speaking on TNT Sports ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Girona, the Reds legend made the surprise claim about Zubimendi.

McManaman suggested the 25-year-old was perhaps even closer to signing for Liverpool than first publicly thought when admitting that Gravenberch’s form this season had been something of a surprise.

“No, I think you’re right, (Liverpool didn’t envisage Gravenberch’s form),” McManaman replied to fellow pundit Rio Ferdinand. “The fact that Martin Zubimendi was practically signed.

“Pictured, kit on, etc etc and then he decided to go back on that and stay with Sociedad. It meant that Ryan Gravenberch, along with (Wataru) Endo, they were the only two in that position.”

Continuing to praise Gravenberch, McManaman added: “He’s 22 years of age. He got a bit lost at Bayern with injuries and not getting chosen and the manager, whether the fact that Arne Slot of course knows the Dutch league, knows what he’s like, is a Dutchman himself, put faith in him but he’s responded in kind.

“You only expect him to get better and better and better. Let’s hope he stays free of any injury and he will flourish.”