Martin Zubimendi to Liverpool transfer latest amid U-turn claim as Real Sociedad stance clear

Martin Zubimendi is back in the headlines amid reports that the midfielder regrets his decision to turn down Liverpool's summer approach. Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo claims the midfielder has asked Liverpool to return with a new offer in January.

While there is scepticism over the claim given its source, the Reds nevertheless have another opportunity to hold talks with Real Sociedad in January. Liverpool had initially been told in no uncertain terms that Zubimendi was seeking an exit from his Spanish employers last window.

But the ECHO discovered that the midfielder had made a last-minute U-turn amid internal pressure regarding his £52million buy-out clause. It’s understood the player was asked to help meet that figure himself in order to secure an exit.

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The 25-year-old ultimately told Liverpool of his reversal in mid-August, with the club failing to bring in an alternative before the window shut. However, there is a chink of light that has since appeared thanks to an admission from La Real’s president, despite the player himself relaying his loyalty to the club. Slot himself has not attempted to hide his admiration for Zubimendi.

Slot: It’s disappointing

Slot addressed the failed transfer a few days after Zubimendi informed the club of his decision midway through August. “I said many times already that I think our squad is really strong, and it’s not so easy to find players that can help us or can even strengthen the squad,” he said.

“Zubimendi was one of them, to be fair, but he decided not to come. We go forward with the ones we have, and those ones have done really well in pre-season.

“Richard [Hughes] is trying to strengthen the squad as he can, but unfortunately Zubimendi decided not to come. He [Hughes] did every effort, he tried everything to bring him in, but if a player doesn’t want to come, it’s obvious then that he is not coming.”

Zubimendi: There was no pressure

Speaking to Marca in September, Zubimendi himself tried to cool talk that he had been cornered into staying. “My friends are clear that whatever I decide will be the best - there is no pressure whatsoever,” he reiterated.

“For me, Real Sociedad is my life, I think I have spent half my life there. Much of who I am is part of La Real, it is my life.”

Real president: No renewal talks

Last week, Real Sociedad president Jokin Apperibay admitted that no renewal talks have been held with Zubimendi. The pivot does still have three years left on his deal but no new contract would prevent his price tag from inflating and thus leaves the door open for further approaches.

Apperibay told Noticias de Gipuzkoa: “There has been no conversation with Zubimendi to renew his contract. There hasn’t been one now and there hasn’t been one before. He didn’t put any conditions on us.

“He understood the situation and knew that it was a market in which some players were already going to leave, and he understood that it was time to stay at Real Sociedad. He has not made it a condition for us to renew nor have we talked about it. The conversation with Martin was short and quick.”