Zubimendi Rejection Leads Liverpool to Prioritize New Transfer for Slot

Liverpool’s hopes of signing Martin Zubimendi have been dashed, as the midfielder is set to remain at Real Sociedad. The Spain international had been Arne Slot’s top target after Liverpool’s quiet start to the summer transfer window.

While Liverpool had shown interest in Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, that possibility diminished when Newcastle resolved their financial issues by selling Yankuba Minteh to Brighton. Despite ongoing admiration for Gordon, Liverpool’s focus shifted to Zubimendi, engaging in discussions as Sociedad worked to persuade him to stay.

With three weeks left in the transfer window, Liverpool now appears to be moving away from reinforcing that position, with Zubimendi being their primary focus.

Liverpool’s pursuit of another midfielder was unexpected, considering Jurgen Klopp’s mini-rebuild in that department last summer. The club secured permanent deals for Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch, giving Slot multiple options for midfield roles.

Endo and Mac Allister can both play in the lone six role, while Szoboszlai and Gravenberch are adept in a double pivot. Slot has utilized Szoboszlai in a more advanced role but knows he can fill various midfield positions.

With Zubimendi’s decision now confirmed, Liverpool can redirect their focus to other areas. Despite a string of injuries last season, the attacking department remains well-stocked with quality options, even after Fabio Carvalho’s departure was finalized.