Liverpool have been given a clear signal as to who they should be targeting in this summer’s transfer window.
So far, it’s tough to make predictions for the comings and goings at Anfield in the off-season. We don’t yet know who’ll be Liverpool’s manager or sporting director. That makes things difficult.
Nevertheless, that hasn’t stopped the rumours from coming through. One such story has claimed that the Reds are interested in Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
And judging from Kieran Tierney’s words in an interview with The Guardian this week, Liverpool would be getting themselves a ‘world-class’ operator.
“I was up against Take Kubo in the first couple of weeks training, so to see how sharp he is struck me,” explained Tierney, who is on-loan at Sociedad from Arsenal.
“You have world-class players like Zubimendi, [Mikel] Merino, Brais [Mendez]. It’s not that people don’t think they’re good; it’s just that if you’re only watching the Premier League every week, it’s hard to know. They’re world class, and for so many to come from the academy is incredible.”
Zubimendi gets ‘world-class’ approval
Tierney isn’t the only one to be impressed by Zubimendi. Back when he coached the midfielder for the La Real second team, a certain Xabi Alonso had this to say about the 25-year-old.
“Martin’s a player all coaches would want. He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself. He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions; to improve the move.
“He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him. He has that ability to organise the axis. I loved working with him.” [Irish Mirror].
Should Alonso end up replacing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool this summer, it isn’t too hard to imagine Zubimendi following him.
Martin Zubimendi
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
The Reds could still do with a specialist defensive midfielder. Although the Spaniard isn’t a tough-tackling Fabinho type, he is someone who is well versed in playing that role.
As Tierney points out, Zubimendi is perhaps a player who’s been going under the radar over the past few years. But he’s been the beating heart of a Sociedad side who have punched above their weight under Imanol Alguacil.
With two big appointments still to be made by Liverpool, we don’t yet know their transfer strategy for summer 2024.
If it involves this classy midfield operator though, we won’t be complaining. His £51m release clause sounds very much do-able, too. One to keep an eye on.
