Martin Zubimendi ‘REGRETS rejecting Liverpool in the summer and has asked for them to try and sign him in January’ – after £52m midfielder opted to stay with Real Sociedad for the ‘food and hikes’
- A report has revealed that Liverpool’s summer target Zubimendi regrets turning them down
- However, the report is unclearly sourced, so a dose of skepticism is required
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Martin Zubimendi reportedly regrets turning down Liverpool this summer and instead staying at Real Sociedad.
The midfielder has reportedly asked the Reds to sign him in January after they rejected a £52million bid to stay in San Sebastian.
The 25-year-old had given Liverpool his word but went back on it after a charming attack from Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil, who reminded him of his love of Basque cuisine and walking in the area.
The failure to sign Zubimendi left Liverpool in a bit of a bind as he was their top target for the summer and Liverpool were looking for a successor to Fabinho, who left for Saudi Arabia in 2023. However, Ryan Gravenberch has impressed as a number six.
However, Spanish outlet Sports stadium claims he has told Liverpool to try and re-sign him. That said, it is worth applying a dose of scepticism. Estadio Deportivo cites the ‘English media’ as its source.
Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi reportedly wants Liverpool to make another bid for him
Zubimendi turned down Liverpool’s £52million offer because he likes the food and walks in San Sebastian
It is a disappointing start to the season for Real Sociedad, who are 16th in LaLiga and just one point above the relegation zone despite having played a game more than their rivals.
They have finished in the top six for the past five seasons, with Zubimendi playing a major role for most of the time, but this season they have struggled to find the net.
Some believe a sticking point for Zubimendi could be that he has not been offered an improved contract, with his current deal expiring in 2027.
Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay recently denied in an interview that Zubimendi demanded a better deal to stay, despite suspicions that this was the case.
“There has been no discussion with Zubimendi to extend the contract. There has been no discussion now and there has been no discussion before. He has not given us any conditions,” he told the local newspaper. News from Gipuzkoa.
‘He understood the moment and knew that it was a market in which some players would already leave, and he understood that it was a time to stay at Real Sociedad.
“He didn’t put an extension as a condition and we didn’t talk about it. The conversation with Martín was short and quick.”
As Mail Sport reported in August, the main reason for Zubimendi’s move was the persuasiveness of manager Imanol.
Zubimendi was Liverpool’s top target in the summer and is a highly rated defensive midfielder
The boss reportedly held several meetings with the 25-year-old and tugged at his heartstrings to stay, citing how the fanbase would be disappointed with his departure. Imanol also spoke a lot about how good Zubimendi’s life is in San Sebastian.
He gave a presentation that focused on the Basque region’s fine dining scene and Zubimendi’s hobby of hiking up Mount Ulia. He also revealed that the player had told Spanish TV he would stay with La Real after the Euro 2024 final.