Liverpool experienced a quiet summer transfer window.
The Reds made just two first-team signings — Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and winger Federico Chiesa; it wasn’t for the lack of trying though.
Arne Slot’s priority since succeeding Jurgen Klopp has been to sign a new defensive midfielder.
Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi emerged as Liverpool’s top target, and although the Reds made good progress in their negotiations, the midfielder snubbed a move to Anfield in favour of staying with his boyhood club.
David Ornstein drops fresh Martin Zubimendi transfer claim
Liverpool decided not to pursue any other targets, and although that decision appears to have been vindicated after winning all of their first three games this season with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister playing key roles, The Athletic’s David Ornstein wonders if they could revisit Zubimendi in the future.
“They targeted Martin Zubimendi and got far in the deal, but ultimately he decided to stay at Real Sociedad,” he said on The Athletic FC podcast, as quoted by TBR Football.
“But no panic, don’t suddenly knee-jerk to an alternative that might not be quite right for you. Perhaps, go with your internal, existing options until the right opportunity arises.”
He added: “Maybe that will be Zubimendi in the future in the way that Virgil van Dijk was after they missed out on him when he was at Southampton one summer and then they signed him in January or maybe it’ll be someone else entirely, or nobody at all as Ryan Gravenberch takes to the role with aplomb. Let’s see.”
Zubimendi has three years left on his contract. During the midfielder’s four years in Sociedad’s first-team, he has chipped in with nine goals and seven assists in 192 games in all competitions.
Does you think Gravenverch seat while Zubimindi coome? to me no, the long legs and the younger aged , Grav is no far better than the short and not fast enough Zubimindi, albeit the latter is technically advanced.
I would not go back in for Zubimendi. We offered him a really good contract with more money than he has ever had and he turned us down to stay with a team currently 14th in La Liga (No ambition). At the min Grav is doing a great job (Yes it is early days) but the more games he plays the better he will become. With ENDO on the bench we have enough at present to look elsewhere ready for Jan window.