Liverpool are keen to make Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi the first signing under new head coach Arne Slot, The Pitch Prospect has learned.
The Reds have yet to sign a single first-team player this summer and their first Premier League game away to Ipswich Town is just ten days away (live on The Pitch Prospect).
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Slot has arrived as Jürgen Klopp’s successor and hopes to make an immediate impression at Anfield next season.
His efforts could be boosted by the potential signing of Zubimendi, who was previously a transfer target for Arsenal’s midfield.
The 25-year-old is a product of Sociedad’s youth academy and has a £51 million release clause in his current contract, which expires in 2027.
There is a belief that he is keen to move to Liverpool in the summer.
Zubimendi has made 188 appearances for Sociedad in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists.
He won the Copa del Rey and was part of Spain’s victorious squad at the 2024 European Championship this summer. Among other things, he came on as a substitute for Rodri in the 2-1 final victory against England.
If Zubimendi signs for Liverpool, he would apparently be the replacement for Thiago in midfield, who left the club at the end of last season.
Slot recently spoke about the club’s lack of transfer activity, stressing that it is not easy to find the right players for the club, but he is said to have made signing a new number 6 a priority.
“I’m focused on the tour, how we played, what we need to improve and what we did well,” said the Dutchman. “As I said, the bar is really high for signings because we have so many good players.”
“So it is not so easy to first find a player who meets these standards and then [the question is] is it available?
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“Then we have to reach an agreement with them. So it is not always easy to find a player who can help us, but [sporting director] Richard [Hughes] work hard on it and see what happens.
“As I said at the beginning, my main focus has been to work with the team and prepare them as best as possible for the first Premier League game and of course for these games. Apart from that, he is working on things and keeps me updated at all times, but my main focus is the team here.”
Liverpool’s pre-season began with a defeat in a behind closed doors friendly against Preston, but they have won every game since.
Victories were achieved against Real Betis, Arsenal and Manchester United, with the last two friendlies taking place at Anfield on Sunday.
Slot’s side will face Sevilla at their storied home ground before playing another game behind closed doors, this time against Las Palmas, after the first game was played in front of fans.
Liverpool travel to Ipswich on August 17 before further games against Brentford and Manchester United before the first international break of the 2024/25 season.