Liverpool have been dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
The Reds had made the Spanish midfielder their primary transfer target as manager Arne Slot wanted a new midfielder to command his midfield.
Despite Jurgen Klopp signing four midfielders in the last summer transfer window, Slot wanted a new player in that position.
However, Zubimendi has decided to stay at his boyhood club Real Sociedad and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed the reason behind his move.
The transfer expert wrote on his X account:
“Martín Zubimendi rejects Liverpool after he did the same with Bayern and Arsenal opportunities in the recent years.
“Unconditional love for Real Sociedad, as he’s staying; open to signing new deal.
“Contract proposal from Sociedad way lower than Liverpool’s contract bid.”
🚨⛔️ Martín Zubimendi rejects Liverpool after he did the same with Bayern and Arsenal opportunities in the recent years.
Unconditional love for Real Sociedad, as he’s staying; open to signing new deal.
Contract proposal from Sociedad way lower than Liverpool’s contract bid. pic.twitter.com/ohL6juOs5l
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 12, 2024
The player’s “unconditional love” is the reason behind him rejecting the Premier League giants.
With just under three weeks left for the transfer window to shut down, the Reds have to make a different plan now to sort out the issues in their squad.
Liverpool will start the season without a new signing
Having made zero signings in the summer transfer window, the fans are still waiting for the club to make their first signing.
It remains to be seen what the club’s plan of action will be now after getting rejected by the Euro 2024 winning midfielder.
The Reds start their Premier League campaign against Ipswich on 17th August as Slot’s wait for a new signing continues.
This situation is an absolute joke. Why we ever thought he would join given his track record of turning clubs down at the last minute. It seems that even giving his word means nothing to him. Just using LFC to get a better contract from RS. This is a good player who has minimal ambition. RS are a nice little team in La Liga nothing else – they are not going to be challenging for trophies etc. so in that respect he has achieved his ambition of playing for his boy hood club whilst also being a bit part player for the national team. A few months ago we were hailing the return of the transfer gurus to the club…yet NO signings. I have said before it is difficult as there is a new manager and he needs to asses the squad BUT it was obvious to everyone we needed a new Defensive Midfielder so we spend efforts trying to get Gordon a left winger????? We NEED and DFM and a decent cover at Left back. Get them in and then we can review in Jan. We have a good squad, but if we get the injuries like last season it is not strong in depth. Hughes and the rest of the transfer team really need to pull their fingers out.
Think Endo did a great job last season and can do the same this season as well as having the high percentages as well as the better rated no6 in the premier League..I think Slots made a couple of mistakes already.Fabio shouldn’t have been sold,he was in good form pre season and played well with Salah and the other forwards, actually looked like the lad we bought from Fulham but then we sell him!! Why sell your younger talents, especially when we’ve got a few regulars that aren’t as good as they were especially with the stamina to keep going for 90+ mins. Salah has been a great player but it’s time to cash in and get the money for a player who is free next summer!! We’ve got a few wingers and I think Elliot is going to have a better team mind as well as a team player and not a greedy one.. We’ve got Clarke and then Slot is happy to sell him? I’m not sure if he’s going to be using the academy players like Klopp did last season and they were the 1s that kept us in the title race,it was when the regulars came back from injury that we lost the prem over.. Also, What’s happening with The scouting team? We’ve got the 1 who was the best person to do business with the players and the financial side but it’s like he’s not even trying or was it Klopp that had the most influence to get the players rather than the contract offers!! Klopp wouldn’t have thought of Bajetic going out on loan after we’ve been waiting for him to return after his injury and he’s going to be loaned out? Serious, no way to get your talent to be careful and play with the 1st team as a sub if his fitness isn’t up to scratch but I don’t think Slots realised that he’s not going to be able to play the games all season without a good few decent players on the bench!! Can’t see the team comardary like usual so let’s see what happens? YNWA 🔥 jf97 🔥