Martin Zubimendi turns down Liverpool transfer to stay at Real Sociedad
Liverpool's desired midfielder Martin Zubimendi has rejected the opportunity to transfer to Anfield in order to remain at Real Sociedad.
People were anticipating that the Spain national player, who had a release clause worth £51 million in his contract at Anoeta Stadium, would depart from the La Liga team this summer.
Nevertheless, Sociedad was determined to retain Zubimendi and they proposed a new contract with increased wages. Despite this, the 25-year-old has decided to stay with the Basque club.
Zubimendi stood out in the Euro 2024 championship game against England, coming in for Rodri at the start of the second half. Spain ended up winning 2-1.
The player has been a part of Sociedad since 2011 and played a key role in the team's success last season, finishing in sixth place and scoring four goals in 31 games.
It is still uncertain if Liverpool, the only team in the Premier League that has not made any transfers this summer, will shift their attention to other midfield options.
Yet, the recent Liverpool coach Arne Slot has a variety of talented players like Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Sobozslai, and Wataru Endo who can also fill that position. In addition, Trent Alexander Arnold, who usually plays as a right-back, was occasionally used in that position by the former manager Jurgen Klopp in the last season.
Reds Start Off With Away Trip To Ipswich
Arne Slot starts his time as manager of Liverpool with a noon-time match against newly promoted Ipswich Town on the first Saturday of the 2024/25 Premier League season.
The man from the Netherlands will face his fellow countryman Erik ten Hag when Liverpool play against their rivals Man Utd at Old Trafford in his third match as the team's manager. The game is set to take place on Saturday, August 31.
The Reds have challenging matches coming up against Chelsea and Arsenal in October, followed by a tough game against Manchester City in November.
The initial Merseyside showdown of the season will take place at Goodison Park on December 7, with Liverpool hosting Manchester United on January 4 to kick off the new year.
The team from Slot will be visiting the champions on February 22nd, followed by the second Merseyside derby on April 2nd. They will finish the season with matches against Chelsea (away) and Arsenal (home) in May, and will end the season with a game against Crystal Palace at Anfield.
