Martin Zubimendi’s decision to reverse his initial agreement to join Liverpool created an unnecessary transfer saga for the Reds, and now the player has opened up about his choice to remain at Real Sociedad.
Liverpool’s quest to secure a defensive midfielder has been ongoing for several years, and this summer, Richard Hughes and his team believed they were close to finally filling that role. However, persuading Zubimendi to leave his boyhood club proved too challenging. The Spanish club launched a strong campaign to ensure the Euro winner stayed put.
Zubimendi’s rejection has left Liverpool still searching for a No. 6, but his recent comments to Marca underscore how difficult it was always going to be to secure his signature. When asked about his connection to the San Sebastian club, the 25-year-old midfielder said, “Real Sociedad is my life. I think I’ve spent half of my life here. A lot of who I am is because of La Real.”
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While the club put considerable pressure on Zubimendi to emphasize his value to the team, he revealed that his friends took a different approach. Regarding their opinions on the summer’s events, Zubimendi said, “No, no, my friends were clear that whatever I decided would be the best. There was no pressure at all.”
Zubimendi joined Real Sociedad’s academy at the age of 12 in 2011 and has steadily risen through the ranks. In the past, he has turned down offers from Bayern Munich and Arsenal to remain at the club. Despite his loyalty, Liverpool has started the season strongly with three consecutive wins, while Zubimendi’s Real Sociedad has only won one of their first four games, leaving them 12th in La Liga with just four points.
Although some Liverpool fans are ready to move on from the 25-year-old after this summer’s disappointment, there are indications that the club might revisit the possibility of signing him in the future. Liverpool’s determination to secure their top targets is exemplified by Virgil van Dijk’s move to Anfield in January 2018, but convincing Zubimendi to leave a club he considers “my life” remains a significant challenge.
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