According to a report in CaughtOffside, Liverpool along with their EPL rivals Arsenal have plans to trigger the release clause for midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
Martin Zubimendi rejected a move to Liverpool last summer because he wanted to continue with his boyhood club Real Sociedad but the Anfield outfit have not given up hope. Liverpool will try to trigger the €60 million release clause next year but this time, they will face stiff competition from Arsenal.
“Real Sociedad for me is my life, I think I have spent half my life there,” the midfielder told MARCA as to why he rejected Liverpool’s interest. “A lot of what I am is part of La Real, it is my life.”
Arsenal might have an upper hand in signing Martin Zubimendi:
Many experts believe, Martin Zubimendi chose to remain at Sociedad because he was not convinced by Arne Slot’s long-term plans at Liverpool and if this decision still holds then Arsenal have a key advantage.
Even though Real Sociedad are reluctant to lose the 25-year-old if one of the two clubs triggers the €60 million release clause, the LaLiga side will be helpless.
Martin Zubimendi is one of the most exciting defensive midfielders in Europe right now and not only does he have a dynamic passing range, but the Spaniard is also ever-present in helping his defenders. Since making his senior debut, he has played in over 200 games for the club and this season, the DM has started 13 out of the 14 league games he’s played.
Liverpool can certainly do with a player of his calibre but they will have to win a major silverware to be able to change the midfielder’s mind. They currently sit at the top of the Premier League table and if Slot can guide them to the title then it will be very hard for Arsenal to go head-on. Mac Allister and Gravenberch have done really well in the central midfield but without a shadow of a doubt, Zubimendi will be a major upgrade.
Arsenal, on the other hand, will plan to lure him with consistent game time because they will sell both Thomas Partey and Jorginho next summer which means Martin Zubimendi can very easily come in and become a regular feature alongside Declan Rice and Odegaard.
This is definitely going to be an interesting transfer race and while the margin is slim, Arsenal currently hold a slight edge over the Premier League leaders.
