3 months ago
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Liverpool have issued an ultimatum to their top transfer target Martin Zubimendi to make a decision over his future.
Arne Slot is keen to bring in a new central midfielder for the No. 6 role and has identified the Real Sociedad star as his preferred choice.
Despite Liverpool’s interest, the 25-year-old is yet to commit on a move to Anfield and previously said during Euro 2024 that he’s happy to stay in Spain.
But with the start of the new Premier League season now just a matter of days away, Liverpool have given Zubimendi a strict deadline to make a final choice over whether he wants to join the club.
The Reds have told the European Championship winner he has until Wednesday to give them ‘a yes or no’, according to San Sebastian-based media outlet Noticias de Gipuzkoa.
Both La Real and Liverpool are said to be doing ‘everything in their power’ to convince Zubimendi, but Sociedad’s position is made even more difficult by fellow teammate Mikel Merino’s expected move to Arsenal.
Real Sociedad are bracing themselves to lose both of their key central midfield players who helped them qualify for the Europa League after finishing sixth in La Liga last season.
The club’s communications department has even cancelled interviews with all of its players until the futures of Zubimendi and Merino are resolved.
They are reluctant to sell either player, although it’s thought they would be willing to let one go if they can guarantee keeping the other.
Sociedad’s stance has created a heightened sense of urgency for Liverpool to reach a conclusion either way so they can explore other options before the transfer window closes if Zubimendi stays in the Basque country.
Another potential stumbling block is the fee being demanded, with Sociedad unwilling to accept anything less than his £51.7m (€60m) release clause.
Elsewhere, The Times have reported that Real Sociedad have informed Zubimendi that he would need to trigger his own release clause in order for the move to go ahead.
Zubimendi is said to be torn over the decision to leave and Real Sociedad’s move now puts further pressure on the midfielder.
When asked about Zubimendi on Sunday, Liverpool manager Slot said: ‘You can come up with every name you want to, of course.’
He added: ‘As a club like we are, we are always looking if we can strengthen the squad but it is not so easy to strengthen the squad, if you saw both games today,
‘I said many times before I inherited a real strong team and if we can and if we think it is possible, we will strengthen the squad. But only if we can and only if we think it is possible.’
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