Why Liverpool look set to lose out to Arsenal in £51m Martin Zubimendi transfer battle
Martin Zubimendi is a name who has been mentioned with Liverpool a lot over the last six months. Back in the summer, the Real Sociedad midfielder appeared to be closing in on a move to Anfield, only to opt to remain with the Spanish club.
It has now been reported this week that a summer move to Arsenal is likely to happen. Some reports even claimed it was as much as a done deal, although that has been denied by other reports in his native Spain.
The midfielder has a £51 million release clause in his contract with Sociedad, which was triggered by Liverpool back in the summer. It is claimed that Arsenal are ready to trigger it themselves at the end of the season.
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Whether the Reds again move for Zubimendi is still to be seen. Their need for a new midfielder has eased due to the performances of Ryan Gravenberch this season, having been given his chance under Arne Slot.
It is claimed that Arsenal do feel that they will have an advantage in any transfer battle between the two clubs for the 25-year-old, due to their links with Real Sociedad. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta played for the club for six-months between July 2004 and January 2005.
Club captain Martin Odegaard spent the 2019/2020 season on loan from Real Madrid, just one year before moving to Arsenal in 2021. The Gunners also completed the signing of Zubimendi’s former midfield partner Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad last summer.
Speaking about the club’s interest in Zubimendi on Friday, Arteta spoke about the need to plan ahead with some of his midfield options out of contract at the end of the season. “We have certain situations with contracts expiring,” he said.
“We can renew those contracts like we have done in the past. We are always actively evolving the squad and understanding what the players want to do when they finish our contracts together, and we have to be prepared.”
