PL rivals grow increasingly confident they can beat United to signature of ‘brilliant’ midfield whiz who shone at Euro 2024

With Liverpool yet to make their first signing of the Arne Slot era, supporters are expecting it to be a marquee one when it comes.

Yesterday, after several days of tentative links, it was confirmed that the club had begun exploring a deal for Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.

🚨 Real Sociedad expect Martin Zubimendi to accept move to Liverpool, according to #Sociedad sources. Clubs would still need to agree fee, unless #LFC decide to trigger €60m release clause – which needs to be paid in full. W/ @GuillermoRai_ @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/2ygZ2a7QaI

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 7, 2024

The ‘brilliant’ 25-year-old has been linked with a host of clubs across the window so far, even more so since he impressed in the second half of Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph; Zubimendi replaced Rodri at half-time of the final against England and proceeded to put in a stellar shift to help his nation on their way to being crowned European champions.

Reports had suggested up until this stage that the player was uninterested in a move this summer. He is a product of La Real’s academy and therefore undoubtedly feels a sense of resistance when it comes to parting ways. As such, it was thought that the midfielder rebuffed interest from the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona.

Yet, the Merseyside outfit may have made him a proposal he cannot resist behind the scenes, as news quickly broke from Spain late on Wednesday evening claiming that Zubimendi was seriously considering an Anfield switch.

Read more: United now risk losing £30m man for nothing in 2025 as his wages prove too deer for clubs to consider summer approach

Liverpool edge closer to Zubimendi acquisition

A fee would be relatively easy to hash out given that he has a £51.7 million release clause embedded into his contract, so personal terms were always going to be the most difficult obstacle to navigate.

Any talks are yet to reach an advanced stage between the two clubs, but United must brace themselves for disappointment after only registering their interest in recent weeks.