Liverpool have made Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi their priority target this season. New manager Arne Slot has requested the board to sign a defensive midfielder. Real Sociedad has set a transfer fee of €60m for the 25 year old. Statistically he is one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe right now. The Merseyside club do not have any reliable anchorman other than Endo who turns 31 this year. The club wants to make a long term investment and is pushing to sign the Spaniard. FC Barcelona and Arsenal were also keen to sign the Spanish international but they cannot match Liverpool’s offer.
It was almost certain that Zubimendi would join Barca until Liverpool showed up. Real Sociedad want the player to choose the English club for obvious reasons. They do not want to sell their best player to a rival and also they are offering less money. Liverpool are prepared to make an offer which the Spanish club cannot refuse. Thiago Alacantara has also retired this year prompting the club’s desperation. Zubimendi came through the Basque club’s academy and has made 187 appearances for them so far. He made 45 appearances for the club last season, scoring 4 goals and providing one assist. He played a key role in helping the club qualify for the Europa league.
Can Zubimendi survive in the Premier league?
We do not see players from the Basque region in Spain move outside the country. It was Xabi Alonso who was the last Basque player to play for a Premier league club. It seems that Zubimendi might play where his idol is worshipped by the fans. This scenario is lucrative for any player as all of them dream to play in their idol’s club. The question is can he adapt to the Premier league?
It is felt that he has all the attributes Arne Slot is looking for. The Spaniard is a Busquet-esque player who is very intelligent in possession. He is not very physical like Declan Rice or Rodri but his footballing brain is his main weapon. The 25 year old can dissect the opposition midfield and ping passes right through there. He boasts an average passing accuracy of 87% in La Liga being a CDM.
The Spanish international is also defensively efficient. He averages 61.4% serial duel wins and 55.6% duel wins as per Fotmob. The Spaniard is also excellent at recovering possession of the ball from opposition. He has represented Spain in the Euros playing an important role as a substitute. A player of his calibre should be able to adapt to the harsh conditions of the Premier league.
Liverpool plotting a move for Newcastle duo
After closing in on Martin Zubimendi, Liverpool are trying to sign Newcastle duo Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimares. The club is has not made any big signings so far. I think they are the dark horses of this transfer window and big things are about to happen.
According to GIVEMESPORT, Liverpool remain keen on signing Gordon as they look to bring in a new winger before the window slams shut.
The Merseyside giants have also enquired about Bruno Guimares. However, he has a mammoth price tag set on him. He will be signed this season only if they fail to sign Martin Zubimendi. Rivals Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs are also interested in the Brazilian midfielder.
Newcastle might need to sell Gordon to balance their profit charts. The club does not want any point deduction for any financial discrepancy. They are prepared to listen to offers for him and have set a fee of €50m for the young lad. The English winger is thrilled at the prospect of joining Liverpool. With such signings being made, the Reds are one of the favourites to win the league next season.
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