Spain international Martin Zubimendi has rejected interest from Liverpool to remain at La Liga side Real Sociedad, several outlets have claimed.
The Reds are yet to make a signing during the summer transfer window but had zoned in on the Euro 2024 winner in recent weeks.
Manager Arne Slot revealed he is “constantly evaluating” players who could improve Liverpool’s starting XI but the Merseysiders now look set to miss out on Zubimendi, with both The Times and Fabrizio Romano revealing the 25-year-old has elected to remain in San Sebastian.
The Athletic add the potential deal was complicated by the 25-year-old’s €60m (£51.7m) release clause needing to be paid in full, leaving Liverpool with little wiggle room to negotiate a lower transfer fee.
Sociedad had previously launched a ‘charm offensive’ in a bid to convince Zubimendi to reject the Premier League interest and stay put, a tactic which appears to have worked perfectly.
The Spanish outfit had already seen key central defender Robin Le Normand depart for division rivals Atletico Madrid.
The Reds still want to sign a new holding midfielder having lost Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago in recent years but will now be forced to find a new target with the news of Zubimendi’s decision.
Slot still has the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones who can play in deep midfield, but Wataru Endo hasn’t been favoured during pre-season.
Dominik Szoboszlai is likely to play further forward and Trent Alexander-Arnold could revert back to his regular right-back berth.
One player who won’t play under Slot at Anfield is young forward Fabio Carvalho, who sealed a transfer to Brentford earlier on Monday.
Zubimendi made his first-team debut for Sociedad during the 2018/19 season and has since played close to 200 games for La Real, winning the 2020 Copa del Rey.
What we know
- Martin Zubimendi has decided to stay at Real Sociedad despite Liverpool interest
- Euro 2024 winner had previously been courted by Bayern Munich and Arsenal
- Reds now forced to look elsewhere for new midfielder in final weeks of transfer window.