Yahoo Sports Why Martin Zubimendi rejected £51m Liverpool transfer
Martin Zubimendi has turned down the chance to join Liverpool – leaving them as the only Premier League club yet to sign a new player in the summer transfer window.
The Real Sociedad player had been viewed as a key target by the Merseyside outfit, who are keen to sign a number 6 to bolster their midfield.
The 25-year-old has been one of the Basque club’s star players over the past five years, helping the team end their 31-year trophy drought by winning the Copa del Rey in 2021.
Zubimendi was also a part of the Spain U23 squad that claimed silver at the 2020 Olympics, but rose to prominence with the senior national team at Euro 2024.
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He shone at the tournament in Germany this past summer, excelling in the final where La Roja defeated England 2-1 to lift the European Championship for the fifth time in the nation’s history.
His performances put him in the proverbial show window, with Arsenal and Chelsea among the clubs reportedly interested. A move to the Premier League beckoned, but it appears he will now remain in La Liga.
Why Martin Zubimendi rejected Liverpool transfer
Zubimendi was widely expected to make the move to Anfield, particularly as there is a £51 million release clause in his contract.
However, multiple reports claim that he has chosen to remain in San Sebastian after his hometown club offered him a new deal with higher wages.
Real Sociedad have already sold Robin Le Normand to Atletico Madrid, while Mikel Merino is also likely to depart before the transfer window close.
La Real were therefore desperate to hold onto the midfielder and have managed to convince him to stay put on improved terms, albeit lower than what Liverpool offered.
It’s a major blow to Arne Slot’s plans for the forthcoming season, which starts this weekend. The Reds head into their first Premier League match of the 2024/25 campaign, away to Ipswich Town on Saturday, having not made a new signing so far this summer.
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