Real Sociedad have reportedly made a significant effort to retain their star midfielder, Martin Zubimendi, amid strong interest from Liverpool. The Premier League club is eager to strengthen its midfield before the transfer window closes and has identified Zubimendi as a top target for the defensive midfielder role.
According to a report from Noticias de Gipuzkoa, Real Sociedad has offered the 25-year-old a lucrative new contract in hopes of convincing him to stay. This new deal would reportedly make Zubimendi the highest-paid player at the club, surpassing even Mikel Oyarzabal in earnings.
Zubimendi, who has been with Sociedad since his youth and broke into the first team in 2020, has been a key player for the Spanish side. Despite still having three years left on his current contract, Liverpool is believed to be prepared to activate the €60 million release clause to secure his services.
The Reds are optimistic about signing Zubimendi, especially after reportedly holding discussions with the player over the last two weeks. While Zubimendi has yet to make a final decision, he has supposedly given Liverpool his word about a potential move this summer.
Real Sociedad, however, is determined not to lose their midfield anchor without a fight. In addition to the improved financial terms, the club is also considering offering a similar deal to another key player, Mikel Merino, to keep them both in San Sebastián.
Nevertheless, there is a sense that Sociedad’s new offer might have come too late. Zubimendi, who is reportedly more interested in the opportunity to play in the Premier League than in financial gain, could still be swayed by Liverpool’s interest. Should the Reds trigger the release clause, they would then need to negotiate the payment terms with Sociedad.
In the coming days, the final decision will rest with Zubimendi as he weighs his options between a lucrative new contract in La Liga and the allure of a new challenge in the Premier League.
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