Liverpool eye move for midfielder who was linked with Arsenal: Reports
Liverpool are keen to lure Martin Zubimendi, who was allegedly linked with Arsenal and Barcelona, away from Real Sociedad this summer, according to journalist Paul Joyce.
The Reds, who are yet to sign a new player this summer, are thought to have been on the lookout for a holding midfielder for some weeks. They lost Thiago Alcantara, who retired from football earlier this July, at the end of the ex-Barcelona man's deal earlier on June 30.
Now, Liverpool are hoping to lure Zubimendi away from Real Sociedad to dethrone Wataru Endo as their first-choice number six option. Should the player move to the Reds this summer, he would likely form a midfield trio with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.
Zubimendi, 25, has cemented himself as one of the best number six options in the La Liga over the past few seasons. He has netted eight goals and provided seven assists in 188 games in all competitions for his boyhood team, helping them win a Copa del Rey crown.
A right-footed midfielder blessed with passing, vision, and work-rate, the Spaniard also helped his national team win the UEFA Euro 2024 past month. He featured in four matches at the continental tournament.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are reportedly set to endure a tough time to convince the ex-Arsenal transfer target to leave Real Sociedad. The midfielder is thought to have a release clause of around £51 million.
Jamie Carragher asserts Trent Alexander-Arnold will stay at Liverpool amid exit links
During a recent interview with SPORTbible, Reds legend Jamie Carragher shared his thoughts on Trent Alexander-Arnold's contract situation amid recent links to La Liga side Real Madrid. He said:
"I've always believed he would stay. It's up for debate. He's going to be the next captain, a local lad. I always think you have that greater affinity when you're a local player. I certainly did, Steven Gerrard didn't go to Real Madrid or Chelsea because it was Liverpool."
Opining on Real Madrid's current right-back option, Carragher added:
"You've got to remember Real Madrid have got a decent right-back, he's just won the Euros, and I think he's won the European Cup about six times. He's not a dud. My fear is that Real Madrid are thinking of signing him in another year's time because I don't think they're ready to offload [Daniel] Carvajal just yet."
Alexander-Arnold, 25, has a contract until next June at the Reds.
Since making his senior debut in 2016, the right-back has scored 19 goals and laid out 81 assists in 310 total appearances for Liverpool.