For weeks now, Liverpool fans have been salivating over the imminent arrival of Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi. The Reds had been seeking the 25-year-old midfielder’s signature all summer, especially after his brilliant performances for Spain and their successful Euro 2024 campaign. It looked like the Merseysiders were willing to shell out more than £50m to close the deal but, unfortunately for them, Zubimendi had other ideas.
On Tuesday morning, it was revealed that Zubimendi had rejected Liverpool’s approach, wishing instead to stay at his beloved childhood club. He is now expected to sign a new deal to remain in San Sebastian, in a bid to bring Real Sociedad back to the upper echelons. For Liverpool, it’s a very familiar story that has been spreading lately.
Following the surprise departure of Jurgen Klopp last season, the Reds embarked on the difficult task of finding a manager to upgrade the outgoing German maverick. Despite the former Borussia Dortmund player’s departure from Anfield, Oddschecker still lists Liverpool as a Premier League contender and ranks them as third favorites at 7/1. You can read more tips here and find plenty of previews from the Premier League and EFL now, adding data on Liverpool’s upcoming Championship clashes.
It looked like the Reds had a bespoke replacement after Klopp’s departure, with former midfielder Xabi Alonso doing the trick. The iconic Spanish has already enjoyed a breakneck start to his life as a manager, leading Bayer Leverkusen out of the Bundesliga relegation zone in his first six months before completing the club’s transformation. Last season, Die Werkself, with Alonso at the helm, became the first team in the history of German football to finish a domestic season unbeaten.
The Reds have approached their former midfielder to return to the club as a coach, as well as his former clubs, Bayern Munich. Unfortunately for both of them, the former Real Madrid player has opted to continue his loan at Leverkusen, with the aim of leading them to the final stages of the Champions League next season and mounting a successful defense at Meisterschale.
Next on the client list was Sporting Lisbon coach Rubén Amorim. He revitalized Leões, leading them to two Primeira Liga titles in 3 seasons. However, he also rejected the attitude of the Reds and chose to remain in Lisbon. Finally, Liverpool turned to former Feyenoord manager Arne Slot and the third time he asked, they finally found their man.
For practically all of Jude Bellingham’s two years at Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool were the favorites to sign the young English midfielder. The Reds coveted him and fans treated the former Birmingham City youngster as if he had already signed for the club. However, as we all remember, he opted for the Real Madrid luminaries, achieving a double in La Liga and the Champions League in his first crusade with the club.
And he wasn’t the only one. The Reds coveted the defensive midfield duo of Moisés Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. Neither, however, the two south coast stars opted to move to Stamford BridgeArray. World Cup-winning Argentine Enzo Fernandez also rejected Liverpool, opting to move to Chelsea.
Going back even further, who can tell the Gareth Barry saga of the late 2000s? Rafa Benítez has been seeking the signing of the Aston Villa captain for more than a year, even promoting Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid to make way for the Englishman. Of course, he chose a newly created Manchester City.
Martín Zubimendi is the newest in a long list that follows in those footsteps. It now remains to be seen what direction the Reds will take in their midfield.
(Video) The journalist “very happy” that Liverpool has made some point; “really positive” for Slot
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